Teacher Malcolm thanks pupils and staff for “wonderful” Maltby experience

Mr Astell, who is moving on after 13 years, said parents had also helped him build a solid foundation in his new career after switching from the construction industry.

“It has been a wonderful experience and a privilege to impact on so many lives,” he said.

“I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the parents of Maltby for trusting me with their children, it has been an honour.

“To the children I have taught it has been wonderful to watch you grow and develop and it has been an absolute pleasure to be a small part of this.”

Mr Astell said that working in a school meant making hundreds of small decisions and comments a day, adding: “If at any time I have said or done something that has made a child feel less positive or confident about themselves I can only apologise.”

He said he had never come across a parent who was not supportive and thanked all parents “who have made me feel that I have made a positive difference to their child with their words of appreciation”.

Turning to the students, he said: “I have been caught in the shockwaves when they have been angry, frustrated or caught up in any of the numerous emotions which teenagers go through, but there has been nothing so bad that the student hasn't been able to make amends with a simple: ‘Hello sir, would you like a sweet’ or high five the following day.”

He added: “As I move on from Maltby I would like to thank the people of Maltby and the staff I have worked alongside for some of the most memorable and enjoyable times of my life.

“All I can hope for is some time in the future in the continual debate about education some past student will say: ‘I had this teacher called Mr Astell — he wasn’t that bad.’”

Mr Astell is planning to spend a couple of months working as a volunteer in schools in the refugee camps in the Calais region.