1998 - Present Day
In 1998 Mr John Ceely left Hayes School and was replaced by Mr Malcolm Wright. Mr Wright joined Hayes from Warwickshire where he was headmaster at Dunnington School. He had also worked in schools around the world including Botswana, South Africa and Cyprus.
In 1997 Hayes was unfortunately placed in Special measures by OFSTED who highlighted weaknesses in management, teaching and assessment . The appointment of Mr Wright allowed the school to redefine its destiny and through the hard work of the management and staff the school was taken off special measures in 1999. (below) The staff hold an inpromptu party after the children have left the school 27th May 1999 after hearing that they have a "thumbs up" from OFSTED inspectors who visited the school.
In 1999, Mrs Majorie Benjamin who had been Deputy Headteacher at Hayes School for a number of years, took early retirement. The staff and children presented Mrs Benjamin with a voucher for £150, together with files of tributes and work from the children. Mr Eddie Harris (Chair of Governors at the time), paid tribute to Mrs Benjamin who had initially joined the school from Oldway primary school in Paignton.
April 10th 1998 Mr Tony Peacock retires from Hayes School after 25 years of teaching. The staff and pupils present him with gifts during a special assembly held to honor him. A non-uniform day is also held to mark the occassion.
In 1999 saw the construction of the New Early Years Unit - which was officially opened in 2000. This new unit was built to replace delapidated temporary classrooms to accommodate the school's Nursery, Reception and Year 1 classes. In the last few years the whole school has been completely refurbished and modernised.
Mr Thompson started the Hayes School football team not long after starting at the school. the team over the years has been very successful. Below is the team that won the 1996/97 Middle Sized Primary Schools League. The school team is still in operation and many year 5 and 6 pupils play today in local tournaments around the bay.
In 2000 the school started Orapa it's African Instrument band. 18 Instruments were originally purchased from the town of Orapa in Botswana and the group decided to adopt the town name as the name for the band. Orapa have been highly successful and have played at many prestigious events and is always popular with audiences young and old alike.
