Complex sentence: A suitable site was found at the heart of the new Baldocks Estate and construction of the new school began but Mr Fairchild who had been the Headteacher for 31 years was due to retire in 1955.
Split into simpler sentences: A suitable site was found at the heart of the new Baldocks Estate, and construction of the new school began. Meanwhile, Mr Fairchild, who had been the Headteacher for 31 years, was due to retire in 1955.