David Bird was appointed Headmaster of Stockport Grammar School from September 1985, having previously been Headmaster of Dartford Grammar School. As soon as Mr Bird moved into ‘Shaa House’, he was keen to get to know the whole school community. He took an enthusiastic interest in the life of the school, whether setting standards or helping colleagues and supporting pupils in school plays, concerts, matches and exhibitions. He loved the SPA’s Autumn Fairs and the first XI cricket victories against MGS, admired pupils braving the elements at Wasdale Head and was honoured to host the Lenten visitors at ‘Shaa House’.

In 1987, just two years after Mr Bird joined the school, SGS celebrated its 500th anniversary of the School’s Foundation. The Quincentenary year was marked by a specially commissioned anthem at the Founder’s Day Service, commemorative concerts, exhibitions, tours and a 500km walking expedition, culminating along the school drive to the cheers of a thousand pupils. The highlight of the celebrations was a Royal Visit by Princess Anne who arrived by helicopter on the sports field and impressed the SGS community with her interest in all aspects of the school.

Mr Bird appreciated the quality of SGS teaching and worked tirelessly to develop SGS as a leading co-educational HMC school; his aspiration was for Stopfordians to be ‘second to none’. He navigated the school through the legislative changes of the 1980s and 1990s, prioritising the quality of pupils’ education at the forefront of every decision as the school expanded. Mr Bird worked closely with the Governing Body and staff to improve Advanced level and GCSE performance, SGS becoming the top performing co-educational day school in the North.

Mr Bird greatly enjoyed chatting with pupils and getting to know them - whether cheering them on in sports matches or preparing them for the Service of Commemoration on Remembrance Day. Throughout his tenure, he wrote an encouraging note on every pupil’s report, and interviewed and wrote UCAS references for all applicants. Mr Bird’s personal rapport with his pupils left a powerful legacy in nurturing fine Stopfordians who were ‘open, friendly, kind, considerate and understanding’.

At his final Speech Day in July 1996, Mr Bird finished with the phrase, ‘Number 51, your time is up’. He had been privileged to develop and lead SGS through a rewarding era of growth within its long history. He had encouraged every pupil ‘to fulfil their individual potential and to utilise the expertise of a talented, energetic and brilliant teaching staff’.

Mr Bird retired with his wife Valerie, to Essex and later to Oxfordshire. They treasured the openness and friendliness of many colleagues and pupils long after they left SGS. Mr Bird died peacefully at home with his family by his side and a painting of the school above his bed.