Head teacher retires after 36 years at school

Ms Starkey (centre left) says the school is like a "second family"

A head teacher who has spent her whole career at the school she also attended as a child is retiring after 36 years.

Joanne Starkey was a pupil at St Paul and St Timothy's Catholic Infants School in Liverpool before returning as a teacher and progressing to become head teacher.

She described the school in West Derby as "a second family".

"Everyone pulls together," she said. "We've been through some tough times, but we've made it through together."

Children at the school created a guard of honour for their head teacher

Year one teacher Caroline Limbert, who helped to arrange a special surprise party for teachers and pupils, said Ms Starkey had "always been there for anyone who ever needed anything".

'Honour and privilege'

"She is an ideas person who was always on hand for advice," she said, adding: "She loved being with the children and loved being with the staff."

"She is just the epitome of our school," she said.

Ms Starkey said she had "always held the school in great affection" and said "to become head teacher of the school that you've gone to as a child is such an honour and a privilege".

Ms Starkey she was most proud of the school's philosophy of kindness.

“We instil the philosophy of kindness amongst the children and they genuinely are kind to one another," she said.

She said she would "miss the children, the families and the staff who are absolutely incredible, they work so hard".