College caretaker celebrated for 44 years of service

A caretaker at Frome College, who also attended the school as a student, has stepped down from his role after 44 years.

Clive Austin joined Frome College in the late 1970s when he was 13 years old. After leaving school, he returned in 1981 to work as a cleaner and gradually worked his way up to become the college’s caretaker.

“It was a grammar school in those days and I left with no qualifications,” said Clive. “I have many highlights from over the years of working at the college, including seeing lots of buildings come and go, it’s a much bigger place now. The college looks very different to when I was at school; it’s an awful lot larger now.”

Over the decades, Clive has witnessed some memorable moments, including staff accidentally falling through ceilings, getting stuck in lifts and locked in classrooms. He has also seen the roof blown off, buildings temporarily closed, and sheep wandering through the grounds.

“I have enjoyed every single day of working there,” said Clive. “Other highlights have been seeing children grow, become self-employed, and even start their own businesses, it’s been really fulfilling.”

Frome College thanked Clive for his dedication. A spokesperson said, “We are celebrating his amazing journey with a goodbye party on 13th September.”