SCHOOL'S out for headteacher Joyce Botham who joined other school leavers for a day of celebration and even got to wear the t-shirt.

Pupils and staff at Sutton on the Forest Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School marked the head's retirement with a timetable of surprises.

The first was a flash mob when the school gradually broke into dance. There was a super leavers assembly, drama performances, an afternoon tea and a memory book.

The presentation of gifts also included a school leaver t-shirt.

Mrs Botham, who has been head teacher for 16 years, said: "This has been a fantastic role for me.

"Having a teaching headship keeps you grounded, helps you work more closely with other staff and keeps you in touch with the children, which is what I love.

"I always took years 5 and 6, which meant I was involved in their transition to secondary school and I got to play at the residential camps. I joined in the sailing, windsurfing, climbing and canoeing and had quality time with pupils."

"The residential and transition aspects really helped me build up good relationships."

Mrs Botham says her biggest challenge has been bringing the 76-pupil school into the 21st century.

"It was a small village school with no hall and the pupils had to walk down the road for PE when I arrived," she said.

"We raised £500,000 through grants, funding and hard work to build a big hall, office, extra classrooms and a wildlife pond. It was like empire building.

"The facilities have helped us attract more young families. Our Ofsteds have always been good with outstanding for pupil behaviour.

"We've had a good family ethos and that is what I am most proud of."

Mrs Botham started school when her sons started school, as a mature student in her 30s. She taught at Dunnington Primary School for seven years and was deputy head at St Aelred's in York for a year before taking over her headship.

She plans to spend more time with her grandson Finlay, who is 20 months old and lives in London, but won't be giving up teaching altogether.

"I have a passion for teaching so will be offering some private tuition and mentor students in teaching practice at York St John University."

Andrew Buttery, head teacher at Crayke Primary will take over as a shared headship.