 In February 1978 he was admitted to hospital suffering from a massive intestinal haemorrhage.He was soon well enough to leave hospital, but was pressured by the governors into announcing that he would retire in August 1979.He attended a series of events to mark his leaving, and in June 1979 he briefed his successor Cameron Cochrane on his hopes and plans for the school, telling his wife "I've handed my life's work over to Cochrane and I'm happy".