Mr. A.E.J. West, M.A. Headmaster  of Eliots Green Grammar School 1956-1974

(This article appeared in the 1974 edition of 'Image', the Eliots Green school magazine. )

When Middlesex County Council entrusted Mr. West with the establishment of the new Grammar School in the rapidly developing residential district of Northolt, his background was of academic brilliance at Cambridge, of wartime service in New Zealand and of successful teaching and organisational work at Harrow Weald Grammar School.

He faced many difficulties in the early days at Eliots Green - lack of time for planning, an unfinished building, pupils with varied backgrounds from several "caretaker" schools, a relatively young and inexperienced staff. Mr. West's enthusiasm and sense of purpose, his flair for detailed organisation, his warmth of humanity and most of all his sheer hard work, gradually fashioned a school with a character of its own, reflecting his.

His own interests and skills were wide, and he saw to it that Eliots Green developed in a well-balanced way. Its achievements, in due course, were accordingly very diverse. He set himself very high standards, especially in an academic sense, and the school did its best to develop the full potential of its pupils. In this, he took care to consult frequently with their parents, and later collaborated closely with the Parents Association when that was formed.

Mr. West was especially interested in people as individuals and made himself a remarkably accessible Headmaster, to his staff and pupils alike. The school developed an elaborate structure of arrangements catering for individual needs-subject options which almost guaranteed that each pupil above the 2nd year had a unique course, a fortnightly timetable to provide the multiple lesson blockings that different departments required, careers advice which foreshadowed later arrangements in other schools, and disciplinary and welfare systems based on the principle of catering for the individual boy or girl.

In all of this, his own zest and concern affected the staff. He was always very attentive to staffing appointments, and was rewarded by having a staff which despite frequent changes of personnel remained the same in spirit - lively, sociable and team-spirited. On average it was a young staff, with a proportion of more experienced people to give it stability. It was accordingly enterprising and keen, and Mr. West gave much personal, sympathetic help when newcomers to teaching encountered initial difficulties. He treated everyone as colleagues, consulting and informing very fully and indirectly secured the fullest possible service from each.

By judiciously delegating responsibilities, he also gave many of his staff invaluable experience which helped them to later success in their own careers.

Throughout he remained a keen mathematician and a skilful teacher. He regretted that administration limited his personal teaching and he clearly enjoyed some occasions when a colleague's absence gave him an unexpected chance of returning to the classroom. Unlike many Heads, he positively enjoyed timetabling and took a pride in achieving the neatest possible solution to the ever-increasing details which he crammed into it. Again this task was a consultative effort, with 2 or 3 other staff in the "team" with him. Despite several attempts it proved impossible to computerise the great variety of factors which went into its compilation.

Mr. West's keenness for sport was evident throughout . He liked participating in games himself, and with the assistance of his P.E. staff, gave every opportunity for our pupils to develop their sports abilities. Similarly with drama and debating, and other activities.

He always showed adaptability and was ready to consider new ideas. Although traditions and habits grew up at Eliots Green, rules never became fixed and arrangements were always subject to review as circumstances changed.

Outside the school, Mr. West played a leading part in local educational affairs, and was a vigorous and formidable member of various committees. In his dealings with outside bodies, he was careful to secure for his school good public relations. He was adaptable enough to take a keen interest in comprehensive reorganisation, and he was a prominent member of the working party which considered practicalities at one stage.  Eventually, however, such changes proved so long delayed that with declining  health he thought it best to retire before they took place.

He worked hard throughout his career, and at Eliots Green, as at most schools, difficulties in recent years seem to have increased. His health suffered and there has been some cause for concern over the last two years. Even so, it came as a shock when illness during the Christmas holiday was followed by further illness in late January, by consultation with specialists and eventually by retirement six months early in accordance with their advice. There is sadness and distress in this, both for the school and for Mr. and Mrs. West. The blessing is that it is a temporary misfortune. Mr. West's health is likely to recover fully, with good prospects for his retirement, and Eliots Green as an institution, founded and run in his way for 18 years, has the momentum to continue in those traditions until it merges into Northolt High School this summer.

Those who have worked with him have been aware how much he has been sustained, amidst problems and responsibilities, by his very happy domestic life, with the comfort of his wife and daughter and latterly her husband and children also. We cannot wish better for him than a long and active retirement, with more time for being with his family and  following up the remarkably wide range of interests that he has always had.

DMS  6.5.74

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