A DEDICATED and long-serving head teacher is calling time on her career, after 30 years at a York primary school.

Pat Boyle has worked at Wigginton School since 1987, but is set to bid an emotional farewell to pupils and colleagues at the end of this term.

The 60-year-old, who started teaching in 1979, is retiring at the end of the school term on Wednesday.

She has been head teacher at Wigginton Primary for the past 15 years, but taught at the school for 15 years before that.

She explained: “I absolutely love the school.

“It is hard to put into words how much I will miss it.

"It’s a huge part of my life. It’s a special place to be.

“I’m going to miss the staff and the children. It is a fantastic community. I have worked with some great people.”

Mrs Boyle said she has got “no major plans” for her retirement as yet.

The school held a farewell afternoon tea party for Mrs Boyle yesterday.

Wigginton Primary’s current deputy head teacher Paul Laycock will be taking over the reigns from Mrs Boyle from the start of the new school year in September.

He said: “Mrs Boyle has done an amazing job at the school and in the community as well.

“She is very much part and parcel of Wigginton Primary School.

"There will be a big part of the school missing when she has gone.”

He added that it will be “very difficult” to follow in her footsteps.

“She knows the children inside out and ensures they are getting the best education,” he said.

Speaking about his targets when he takes over, he said: “We want to continue providing a broad curriculum to pupils and an exciting curriculum so the children enjoy coming to school and there is something for everyone.”