Chris Britten, executive headteacher of Ysgol y Deri in Penarth, stepped down at Easter after nearly 40 years in education, including 25 years as a headteacher and 15 in the additional learning needs sector.
Former pupils described him as “the greatest headteacher of all time” and “one of our own”, thanking him for being there for them and saying the school felt “like a family”.
In a letter to parents, Mr Britten said entering the ALN sector had been “a real eye-opener” and that meeting families had been “humbling”.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, he wrote that “the struggle is your life”, telling parents he knew how difficult things could be and hoped the school had helped ease that struggle.
“I hope you know that I have always been there for your children and though we may have disagreed at times I have always had the best for your child at heart,” he said.
He praised the staff and leaders at Ysgol y Deri as “the finest I have ever worked with” and said it had been his “honour to serve”.
Ysgol y Deri is the UK’s largest special school, catering for around 370 pupils aged three to 19 with a wide range of learning and physical needs, including autism, severe and profound learning difficulties.
Opened in 2014 as part of the Penarth Learning Community, it brings together pupils from across the Vale of Glamorgan and neighbouring authorities such as Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend and Caerphilly.
The school became known across the UK through the BBC documentary series A Special School, which follows pupils, parents and staff and has received multiple BAFTA Cymru nominations, including for its most recent series.
The programme showed Mr Britten describing Ysgol y Deri as more than just a building, but a community and “family” for everyone connected with it.
In a separate message, vice chair of governors Michael Surcombe confirmed that Claire Gould and Josie McAllister were taking over as acting co-headteachers for a year while governors decide on a permanent appointment.
He thanked Mr Britten for his “outstanding leadership” and wished him a long and happy retirement on behalf of the governing body.
