Teacher to retire after 40 years at same school

Judith Harrison said she had mixed emotions about leaving the school

A teacher is retiring after working at the same primary school for 40 years.

Judith Harrison, 64, will leave her current role as a teaching assistant at Whittington Church of England Primary School, near Worcester, on Friday.

She was formerly a reception teacher at the school, which has grown from 45 pupils to 210 during her tenure - one of the "immeasurable" changes she has witnessed.

Speaking to BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester, Mrs Harrison said it was a tough decision, but it was the right time, partly because her "bones don’t quite work like they used to".

Asked what she’d miss about teaching, she said: "I love seeing children grow and seeing that smile on their face when they get something and they’re so proud of their achievement.

"That is so rewarding. Nothing compares to it."

Mrs Harrison says she has seen "immeasurable" changes to the school over the years

She said being an important part of children’s lives had motivated her and helped her to overcome some of the challenges teachers face.

"At the end of the day, the centre of everything is the children and you do this job for the children. You don’t do it for anybody else," she added.

Mrs Harrison said she is often recognised by former pupils, adding that they look "slightly different" to when she taught them.

A number of those former pupils have gone on to have children of their own, who have also been taught by Mrs Harrison.

'It's wonderful'

She said she was looking forward to not having to set an alarm in the morning and to being able to go away when she wanted - not just during school holidays.

But Mrs Harrison said her emotions were mixed and that she would still feel "sad" when her time at the school came to an end.

"Being a teacher, you're very privileged. You're playing such a big part in these children’s lives and you hope you've had a positive impact... it’s wonderful," she added.