A Retirement Tale

Time to Go – And Yes, Apparently I’m Now “Legacy Tech”

A wise and much-loved colleague once told me that every teacher has an innovation that signals it’s time to hang up the lanyard. I asked him, on the cusp of retirement, what finally tipped him over the edge. He smiled and said: “Interactive Whiteboard.”

Not bitter. Just quietly aware that the future had arrived—and he was happy to leave it to someone else.

Over the course of his career, he’d seen others bow out with grace (and sometimes confusion) as waves of revolutionary new technologies swept through education.

The roll call:

Banda machines (ask your grandparents)
Overhead projectors (or OHPs, for the nostalgically inclined)
Whiteboards
Computers
SIMS
The Internet (capital “I” back then!)
PowerPoint lessons
“The Cloud” (which still sounds vaguely mythical)

So, what did it for me?

Well, I wouldn’t say there was one final straw—but I do have a short list of culprits including:
Taking a register that requires multiple logins, two-factor authentication, a QR code, and the ability to multitask like a cyber-security analyst. All to do what used to take 10 seconds with a pen.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m no Luddite. I love useful tech. I just prefer it to be… useful. In London in 1904, during off-peak periods a taxi cab would travel at an average of 12 miles per hour. In 1996 the average off-peak motor vehicle speed was recorded as 10 miles per hour.

These days I’m surrounded by colleagues so young that:

I’m older than their dads
I’ve been teaching longer than they’ve been alive
I’ve been married longer than they’ve known how to read
We share zero cultural references (I once referenced Byker Grove in a staff meeting and got blank stares)

I jokingly call one of them, James, my “carer”. When I freeze mid-task, hypnotised by hyperlinks, pop-ups, and mysteriously colour-coded drives, I lift my fingers in surrender and wail:
“Jaaaaames… help!”
(He fixes everything. For the price of a coffee.)

The final curtain call for me? A triple threat:
AI, ChatGPT, and the dreaded “Google Migration.”

But rather than go full ‘old man yells at cloud,’ I’m choosing to bow out with gratitude and a decent WiFi signal.

What I’ll miss most:

The brilliant young people who kept me on my toes (and occasionally in stitches)
Inspiring colleagues who kept me sane and caffeinated
Teaching science to those who loved it—and those who politely tolerated it
Sports Days (controlled chaos at its finest)
Rugby, football, and cricket tours that could fill novels
School trips that were equal parts adventure and emergency contact forms
School plays that rivalled Broadway (or at least panto season)
Leavers’ Days full of proud smiles and wobbly chins
Watching sixth formers chase their dreams into higher education, apprenticeships or the big wide world
And yes… caring for the UK’s third-largest orchid collection. (More on that in the spin-off blog.)

Returning to the classroom after headship was the best decision I made. It reconnected me with the day-to-day magic (and occasional madness) of teaching.

Would I want to start out in education now? It’s hard to say. But what I can say is that the last 32 years have been life-affirming, purpose-filled, and full of joy, laughter, and the occasional lost USB stick.

In an effort to stay connected to education and try and support others, I have now moved onto a new venture / adventure with my wife. We have set up and launched Antwis Collaborative and will see where it takes us.

To those retiring this summer, especially my fellow Googlephobes, I raise my mug of coffee in solidarity.

And as for the next innovation that’ll spark the next wave of dignified exits?

Answers on a postcard. Or a QR code. Or an app. Or whatever we’re using by then!

This blog was brought to you by Simon Antwis, Director at Antwis Collaborative. Former Biology teacher, head of department, housemaster and headteacher.

If you enjoyed this blog, please take a look at the Antwis Collaborative website. Home (antwiscollaborative.co.uk)

At Antwis Collaborative, we are dedicated to empowering school leaders through personalised coaching, cutting-edge professional learning, and unwavering support. With decades of experience in education, we understand the challenges and opportunities that today’s school leaders face. Our goal is to help leaders unlock their potential, foster positive school cultures, and create transformative learning opportunities that impact both staff and pupils.

With 30 years of experience working in schools, including 20 years as a school and Trust leader, Antwis Collaborative brings expertise, insight, and empathy to the table. We are more than a consultancy; we are partners in your leadership journey. Our collaborative approach ensures that support is tailored to the individual needs of each leader and school, driving sustainable, long-term impact.

Connect with Us: Let’s explore how Antwis Collaborative can support your leadership and your school. https://www.antwiscollaborative.co.uk/

AntwisCollaborative