HE HAS taught thousands of pupils over more than three decades, but on Friday he will lock his classroom at Joseph Rowntree School for the last time.

Mike Wilson, assistant head and languages teacher, will head into the Christmas holidays this week knowing that for the first time in 34 years he will not be returning for the new term in January.

Looking forward to his retirement, Mr Wilson, 58, spoke about how the school had developed since he walked through the doors for the first time in September, 1975.

He said: “The school was not as large, and some subjects, such as rural studies and motor vehicle studies have now gone, to be replaced by subjects covering a wide and varied curriculum.

“While there have been many changes in the curriculum and in the staff over the past 35 years, the school for me has retained its friendliness and high standards, and former students show a genuine affection for the place.”

Mr Wilson, originally from Morpeth, in Northumberland, is a keen sports fan and he retires from the school as player manager of the staff football team.

A Joseph Rowntree colleague described him as a “big personality”. “He’s going to be sorely missed,” she said.

“He had a massive impact on so many people.”

Mr Wilson said: “From a personal point of view, I have enjoyed my time at the school and I have worked with hard-working and committed colleagues throughout this time.

“They have always had the best interests of the students at heart, be it in class, on the sports field or on the many educational visits and trips that are available to them, in particular the French and German exchange visits that are of great benefit to students in learning about the culture of others.”

Looking forward to Joseph Rowntree’s planned move to a new purpose-built home, he said that while entering a new era, the school was in a good position to “maintain the values of Joseph Rowntree and meet the fresh challenges that lie ahead”.

He added: “I wish staff and students alike all the best for the future.”