HAYDONLEIGH Primary School paid a sad farewell to popular teacher Paula Dickens on Wednesday.

The early years teacher has worked at the school, in Haydon Court Drive, for eight years and rang the final school bell for the last time ending her 36-year career.

Her last day coincided with the last day of the school term, with the eldest youngsters paying respects to the teach who taught them when they began their education.

The whole school marked the last day of the school year with a whole-school assembly in the morning, followed by a whole-school picnic during the afternoon.

Sue Heath, bursar at Haydonleigh, said she had a big influence on the school and would be missed.

"Paula Dickens is retiring after a 36-year career in teaching. Paula leaves Haydonleigh Primary School after eight years, our current Year 6 children having been taught by Paula when they first joined us," she said.

"Paula has been leading the teaching within the Early Years provision and is leaving us with an amazing legacy. Paula has been a phenomenal leader of our Foundation Stage, influencing not only the lives of our youngest learners but also mentoring several teachers at the start of their careers.

"Her warm and caring nature has enabled many children to commence their school years in a warm and nurturing environment enabling them to flourish. Her relentless high standards and commitment is admired by all."

"We are all very proud of what Paula has achieved within our Early Years provision which is performing really well.

"Our recent Ofsted report said ‘staff regularly track each child’s progress and act quickly to ensure that they make the progress that they are capable of. All staff in the early years know how well each child is doing and what they should be learning next’.

"We will all sorely miss Paula and wish her well in her retirement, travelling, gardening and spending time with her family."