Ex Durham Gilesgate Primary School head marks 100th birthday

Pupils at Durham Gilesgate Primary School past and present will know of and were shaped by John Thompson - whose connection to the school has always run deep.

John, who marked his 100th birthday on May 16, was the first headteacher at the school when it opened in 1964 - and last year returned to help the school mark its 60th anniversary.

(Image: DURHAM GILESGATE PRIMARY SCHOOL) To mark his special day, John was surprised and presented with 100 cards from the school's pupils - and his family even presented the school with a shield to be awarded to the class with the best attendance each year.

Following the celebrations, current headteacher Mark Turner reminisced about John's long-standing relationship and tie to the school.

Mark told The Northern Echo: "As the school was being built, Mr Thompson sat in a wooden cabin at the school gates and ordered all the material as it was being built before it was opened in 1964.

"He then remained as the first headteacher until the mid-1980s and then retired at that point.

(Image: DURHAM GILESGATE PRIMARY SCHOOL) "I first met John on his 95th birthday. His family contacted me and so I invited him to visit the school and speak to the pupils."

But his devotion didn't end there - he returned to the school in late 2024 to turn on Christmas lights for their Winter Fayre.

And now, he had a 100th birthday to remember, involving pupils from the school, who surprised him at his home.

Mark added: "We arranged for a mixed group of children go to in a minibus to sing and sign happy birthday to Mr Thompson on his lawn.

(Image: DURHAM GILESGATE PRIMARY SCHOOL) "In return, he awarded us with the John Thompson shield - that will be presented to the class with the best attendance across the year.

"It is just lovely to do something and have that link with the history of our school. It's a phenomenal effort to be involved in his big day.

"What an achievement to get to 100!"

He added: "I am humbled that we have this link with the beginning of our school. There are still people around who are retired who will call our school the John Thompson school - he has had that impact.

"His legacy lives on, and will live on with the shield he has donated to the school."