Sports-mad Sir hangs up boots and books

BLUE Coat farewell for deputy head teacher Mike Platt with pupils (from left) Nikie Gaynord, Emily Farrelly, Alex Done, Bethany Wignall, Greg Street and Hayley Bradbury

INSPIRATIONAL teacher Mike Platt is retiring after chalking up 34 years at Blue Coat CE School.

The sports-mad deputy head teacher says goodbye to the classroom for the final time at the end of term.

And his legacy will include the many facilities which his tireless fundraising and lobbying has brought to the school, such as its new sports hall, dining hall, kitchen and classrooms.

Mr Platt (57) studied geography and economics at Salford University before completing his teacher training at Manchester University.

He spent a year at the former Fitton Hill Junior High School before joining Blue Coat where he still teaches geography.

The school’s recent outstanding grade from Ofsted — the first for an Oldham secondary — is the perfect leaving gift and he said: “I wouldn’t swap my job for anything. It has been a privilege to work for the children and see how some of them turn out.

Married with two daughters, Mr Platt played amateur football and cricket and was attracted to Blue Coat by its sports.

He coached many successful teams and explained: “I loved sport when I was at school and I just love to see the lads enjoying their sport.”

Mr Platt enjoyed being head of year 11 from 1982 to 1990 and set new standards of pastoral care. Appointed deputy headteacher 10 years ago, he was also the chief moderator and examiner in Geography for the former NEA exam board for many years.

His superb fund-raising skills have resulted in millions of pounds of new facilities and he added: “The thing about this school I am most proud of is the fantastic bond between staff and students: they enjoy each other’s company, enjoy doing things together.”

Mr Platt officially leaves on August 31 and 240 people will attend a retirement bash.

Head teacher Julie Hollis said it was hard to imagine Blue Coat without the outstanding and inspiring teacher and added: “The most important thing about Mike is his generosity of spirit and his total decency and integrity.”