The end of the school year in 2026 will mark more than just another term at Alderney’s only school… it will also close a long chapter in education for its headteacher.
St Anne’s School has confirmed that its headteacher, Wendy Wilson, will take early retirement from August 2026, bringing to a close a long and distinguished career in education spanning more than three decades.
Mrs Wilson has dedicated her entire working life to education, beginning her career in schools during the late 1980s and early 1990s. She went on to teach English across a range of educational settings before moving into senior leadership roles.
Her connection with St Anne’s School began in 2016 when she joined as Acting Deputy Head. She was formally appointed Deputy Head in January 2017 and became Headteacher in May 2022.
The school said Mrs Wilson had decided that the end of the 2025–2026 academic year was the right moment to begin a new chapter in her life, allowing her to spend more time with family and friends.
I look forward to watching our island’s young people continue to thrive and flourish
wendy wilson, st anne’s soon-to-retire headteacher
Reflecting on her time at the school, Mrs Wilson said she felt “deeply thankful” for her years in Alderney.
“In my tenth year at St Anne’s School, I feel deeply thankful for the privilege of working alongside a fabulous staff team and so many generations of our wonderful school community,” she said.
“It has been an honour to play even a small part in their learning journeys and personal growth. Now that Alderney is truly my home, I look forward to watching our island’s young people continue to thrive and flourish – this time from the gentler perspective of someone enjoying a well-earned and leisurely retirement when that chapter arrives.”
Last year, pupils at St Anne’s took part in the global ‘Schools Across the Ocean’ programme, a worldwide educational initiative with the common goal of bringing climate and ocean literacy to pupils.
Their efforts included being twinned with two schools – Fairgreen International School, UAE and Azerbaijan European School, Azerbaijan – to share insights on climate issues affecting their different locations.
That project saw the school made the subject of a feature on Sky News, with Mrs Wilson commenting that it was proof of how “a small island school can make a big impact on the global stage”.
As she prepares to retire, tributes have also been paid to Mrs Wilson’s leadership from within the education service.
Kim Hutchison, Head of Primary Leadership and Development, said that while the school community would be sad to see her go, there was deep appreciation for her contribution.
Mrs Wilson has led the school with warmth [and] integrity
Kim Hutchison, Head of Primary Leadership and Development
“During her tenure as Headteacher, Mrs Wilson has led the school with warmth, integrity and a strong focus on the wellbeing and success of every child,” she said.
She added that under Mrs Wilson’s leadership, St Anne’s School had remained “a caring and supportive school”, with high expectations for pupils supported by strong teaching and learning.
The school said opportunities would be provided for the community to formally thank Mrs Wilson and celebrate her contribution before the end of the school year. The process of appointing a new Headteacher will now begin.