Children beg Southport headteacher 'not to leave'

Julian Ward said it feels like the right time to step aside04:00, 17 Jul 2026Children at a Southport school are asking their outgoing headteacher "not to leave". Julian Ward, 59, from Southport, is retiring from Larkfield Primary School in the town today.‌Julian moved to Larkfield in 2007 and later became headteacher in 2010. He will be replaced by his friend and current deputy headteacher Dave Palmen, 44, from Birkdale. Dave told the ECHO that Julian will be missed by friends and family across the school, describing him as a “compassionate man” who has brought his musical talent into the school.‌Julian, who is a pianist, said he knew very quickly that Larkfield was the right choice for him. He told the ECHO: “As a class teacher looking to progress to deputy head, I had a clear picture of