Celebrations were held to mark Mr Child's retirement after 22 years in the job and also to say goodbye to long serving teacher Teresa Layton, who had notched up 29 years and teaching assistant Margot Wilson, who had been at the school for over 17 years.

A special buffet party was held at the school on Wednesday evening and that followed on from a special farewell assembly held earlier in the day during which all three were presented with gifts.

Mrs Layton and Mrs Wilson each received a silver bracelet and gift vouchers, while Mr Child was presented with a specially carved miniature canoe together with some money towards the cost of a real one.

The three also received jokey presents from staff during a celebration lunch with Mr Child being presented with a specially knitted cardigan, pipe and slippers.

The celebrations were due to continue at the weekend with a further barbecue party being held by the school's governors.

Fiona McCallum, deputy headteacher of Cavalry School at March, is set to take on the role of head of Elm School from September.