STUDENTS and staff will bid a fond farewell to a much loved teacher today as she will be replaced by one of her former pupils.

Alison Morris, who is retiring at the end of this school year after 23 years at St Bartholomew’s Church of England Primary School in Royal Wootton Bassett, will be replaced by former student Ruth Corry.

The 60-year-old, who lives in Royal Wootton Bassett, said: “I have mixed feelings. I’m excited but I’m going to miss the children and the parents and friends and staff and the camaderie, and all the fun.

“I will always remember the children I have taught. Seeing how they arrive in the first few weeks of term one and watching with pride at the progress they make, knowing that I have played some part in that journey.

“I like that age group because I think that it’s the year that they progress the most. In the infants you’ve got the time to spend with the children, you haven’t got the pressures you find in year two or year three, you’re just getting them going.”

Mrs Morris joined the school in September 1990 as the teacher in the Early Years Foundation Stage Class, two years after she joined the PTA when her son, Jeremy, started school.

During her career she has led music and introduced modern foreign languages throughout the school, and organised many performances for the school choir, and hand bells and recorder ensembles, both in school and in the wider community.

Suzanne Lane, headteacher at St Bartholomew’s, said: “We’re going to miss her because she’s such good fun and so inspiring. She contributes so much in the classroom and beyond the classroom with the choir and the recorder group and the hand bells group. She’s a lady of many talents and she’s so positive all the time.

“Alison Morris has been a constant inspiration to both the children she has nurtured and taught over the years and to her colleagues and friends. She will be greatly missed. Her positive attitude, unbounded enthusiasm and love of teaching, have served her and our school well. We wish her a long, happy and peaceful retirement.”

In her retirement, Mrs Morris plans to take holidays with her husband, but she will also be back to the school on a voluntary basis to help with the choir.

Karl Lewis, father to Mercedez, five, and Chloe, six, who are taught by Mrs Morris said: “My daughter started in September and she was so unsure, she had problems with her speech and Mrs Morris got down to her level and helped her and now she is a completely different person. Mrs Morris always gives 100 per cent and if you’ve got any issues as a parent she’s always approachable and around to talk about it.”

Denise Edwards, the chairwoman of governors, said; “On her retirement, Alison Morris takes with her the gratitude and love of the entire school community. Her willingness to take on new challenges and limitlessly sunny disposition has made her a popular teacher and staff member. We all hope that she will take with her, many fond memories of her time here at St Bartholomew’s School.”