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Education & Family

School of fish: The head teacher who works in a chip shop

During the day, Headmaster Lee Humphreys is responsible for hundreds of students at a South Wales high school.

But at night he swaps his suit for an apron and steps behind the counter at his Chippie.

The principal of Pencoedtre High School spends his weekends at the restaurant he bought on a whim.

Mr Humphreys and his wife Sam have been running their crisp shop in South Wales since 2018 after he discovered the shop was set to be auctioned.

Mrs. Humphreys runs Fish Kitchen 1854 on a daily basis, but her other half works shifts at the end of the week.

“I still work every Friday and Saturday and get things done during the week,” says the 44-year-old.

“There’s a lot going on, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The kids think I’m crazy.”

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The students at his comprehensive school near Barry, Vale of Glamorgan are fascinated by how he spends his free time.

“They’re interested and intrigued,” Humphreys said.

“It’s strange for her to see the headmaster hitting fish on a Friday.”

They called him Mr. Chips.

He has yet to start helping in the school canteen.

“I joked about it with the canteen ladies, but it was just a joke,” he said.

“Something will show and I will take my uniform to school.”

Because the store is in Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly County, about 20 miles from the school, not many current students see it at work.

But word still gets around.

“Something comes up on the internet, and the next thing parents tell the kids, and then they’re like, ‘Do you work in a fish shop, sir?'” Mr Humphreys said.

“And I say yes, come and see it.”

It helped him connect with students, he said.

The Fishmonger is one of two Welsh chippies nominated for Takeaway of the Year at the 2023 National Fish and Chip Awards.

The other candidate, a 15 minute drive away, is Ship Deck in Trethomas, Caerphilly County.

Ms Humphreys said: “We entered this competition and are now in the top 20.

“We’re on pins because we have to get through to the next 10 and the last 10 have to go to a ceremony in London.

“So we’re hoping that our customers will continue to vote — it’s the vote of the customers and the industry.”

The 43-year-old said they had “as good a chance as anyone” of winning.

The President of the National Federation of Fish Friers, Andrew Crook, was unaware of other principals who worked in chip shops.

“I don’t think there are many who do both, but we get people from all walks of life. I studied computer programming at university, but I like dealing with people.

“Chip shops seem to attract big personalities.”

He said Fish Kitchen 1854 and Ship Deck both had a chance.

“They’re both good companies and they both know what they’re doing,” he said.