STAFF and pupils bid a fond farewell to the popular headteacher of a Bradwell school this week.

Mandy Stanton has retired after 13 eventful years as head of Woodlands Primary. During that time she successfully led the change from middle to primary status and opening of a school nursery three years ago.

Tributes were paid by teachers and children to Mrs Stanton, 59, at a farewell assembly and leaving party where she was presented with a Victorian window table and silver bracelet.

It brings an end to more than three decades in the teaching profession which began in Mrs Stanton’s home city of Liverpool.

She said: “The highlight of my time here has been the children – they have been superb to work with. It is lovely to see them growing and developing.

“There has been a lot of change, the school has changed status, created an outside trim trail and amphitheatre and developed the curriculum. The transition was very challenging – a middle school is nothing like a primary.

“I am leaving with mixed feelings, I will dearly miss the staff, parents and governors, but one has to move on. Woodlands was the only school that did not merge with another when converting to a primary, it was unique in the county.

“Teaching is a wonderful profession. It is hard work but I would not have wanted to have done anything else.

“I started teaching in comprehensive schools in Liverpool so have covered the whole age range from four to 18.”

Children performed a concert at Mrs Stanton’s leaving party and former pupils, now at Lynn Grove School, returned to play piano recitals. Her two children Daniel and Jeama also attended.

Mrs Stanton is looking forward to a holiday in Egypt with husband Michael, spending more time with her three grandchildren, travelling, reading and visiting the theatre.

She is being replaced by Sheila Mercer, currently headteacher at a Bournemouth school, after Easter.