Principal paralysed by rugby back at work
7:02am Sunday 21st May 2006 in Where I Live By Peter Stebbings
A school principal who has returned to work after coming close to death said the support of students and staff inspired him to get back into teaching.
Paul Sutton, 47, principal of Greig City Academy, in High Street, Hornsey, was left paralysed and wheelchair-bound after suffering a spinal injury playing rugby in January last year.
His recuperation was severely hampered after he twice contracted the potentially deadly MRSA virus while in hospital.
Sixteen months on, Mr Sutton, of Bedford Road, Crouch End, is back working full-time at Greig City.
Paying tribute to the support of pupils, school governors and teaching staff, he said: "I've had absolutely tremendous support from the whole school community. I had cards, messages and visits - it was astounding.
"For me, that was the one abiding memory of the whole process. It has been a moving experience in terms of realising people wanted me to get back to work and wanted me to continue. I have found the people here to be a constant source of inspiration."
Mr Sutton's life has undergone great change. From once being a keen sportsman he can now no longer walk or use his hands, and has only limited use of his arms. The school has had to make changes, like adding ramps and lifts, to facilitate Mr Sutton's return, and he uses special computer equipment.
Despite everything he has been through, Mr Sutton is relishing the task of taking control of Greig City once again.
"I think an experience like this changes the way you look at the world," he said. "But it's good to be back at work.
"Teaching is still the most important job in our society and that's not changed one bit. The challenge at Greig City Academy is to improve what we are doing. That's not changed - I don't see why it would," he added.
Mr Sutton said he felt the school had made good progress in his absence under the direction of the stand-in principal David Hearn.
"I think the school has continued to make good strides under his leadership. I've come back to a school that's growing. There are changes - the children seem more confident and more positive. They are very confident about where they, and the school, are going."
Mr Sutton may no longer be physically agile, but he sees no reason why that should prevent him working.
"I can speak and my brain still works," he said, adding: "I always intended to come back, if possible."
