The popular head teachers of two Norfolk schools with 23 years service between them are biding a fond farewell to their staff and pupils.Margaret Cannings of Northgate St Andrew's First School in Great Yarmouth, and Sue Wright of Ludham Primary School at Ludham, will be retiring on Thursday.

The popular head teachers of two Norfolk schools with 23 years service between them are biding a fond farewell to their staff and pupils.

Margaret Cannings of Northgate St Andrew's First School in Great Yarmouth, and Sue Wright of Ludham Primary School at Ludham, will be retiring on Thursday.

Mrs Cannings joined Northgate St Andrew's 15 years ago with a vision and desire to help children and says it is right time for someone else to take up the reins of her school.

The keen birdwatcher from Wymondham said: “I think I have achieved what I wanted, but it is now time for someone new, someone who has a vision on their own to take the school forward.”

Mrs Cannings said that her proudest achievement at the school was the building of its pre-school and the creation of its Nurture Group to help meet the needs of vulnerable children.

When Mrs Wright leaves Ludham Primary School on Thursday it will end her eight year rein at the school, which has doubled the number of classes in her time there.

Describing how she felt when the extension work finished in 2006, she said: “The building work lasted two years, during which we had to move around the school a lot so it could be done.

“But it was great to see everything up and running when the term started and to see the children's faces as they went into the new buildings.”

Both head teachers, who are 60, said they would not miss the paperwork attached to their posts but they praised all the staff and governors they had worked with over the years.

They both added they would look forward to travelling when they retire.