THE FAT lady has sung her final note for one music teacher who is calling it quits after more than three decades at one school.

David Gibbs, has been the head of music for 35 years at Bradon Forest School in The Peak, Purton, but will retire this month in order to pursue more relaxing hobbies of spending time with his soon-to-be born grandchild, playing piano and riding his bike.

The married father-of-two has had quite a career spanning, numerous concerts, hundreds of kids - including Billie Piper - and three schools, which include Park South Junior School, which he joined in 1969, and Penhill Primary School, which he switched to in 1971.

Celebrations were held on June 18 when a concert was held at the school for more than 200 parents, teachers and ex-pupils crammed into the auditorium to celebrate years of success.

In doing so the school also raised £427 for Prospect Hospice and saw former music students come out of retirement join in the show.

David reckons he will miss many things about life as a teacher but none more than passing on his knowledge to his pupils.

He said: "I will miss teaching a great deal, watching children do and learn and the imparting of knowledge.

"I have had pleasure in playing with kids and we have enjoyed playing for crowds.

"I will also miss the interaction between staff, pupils and parents."

During his time in the music department David said his classes had played for a variety of audiences including yearly concerts in Bradon Forest, the annual Christmas concert in St Mary's, and the occasional Christmas busking for the Prospect Hospice.

His students also took part in three live performances for Flame FM, a Christian radio station.

David also says he has seen some great changes in how the music department is run and students' music facilities.

He said: "When I came here there were close to 450 pupils and Bradon Forest was a secondary modern school in the days of grammar schools.

"There was nothing - only one or two instruments and one or two books.

"Now there are 1,200, and fantastic resources, including two rooms, four practice rooms and in one of those rooms there is a keyboard lab.

"I have worked hard and achieved a lot and I believe that I am leaving a solid foundation for my successor to build on.

"It has been a team effort from staff to students to parents and of course kids."