A MUCH-loved headteacher has retired after 34 years in the profession.

Catherine Hanch, head at Settrington Primary School, started work in London, moving to North Yorkshire in 1989.

Mrs Hanch first came to Settrington as a class teacher for the reception, Year One and Year Two pupils when there was just 26 pupils at the school, compared to around 50 now.

She taught for six and a half years before getting her first headship at Nawton Primary school where she stayed for just over seven years before moving to Hunmanby Primary as head for three years, returning to Settrington in January 2006.

"I have really enjoyed being a teaching head because my real love is being in the classroom with the children," she added, I will miss everyone at Settrington greatly but feel it is the right time to do something different. I am really pleased I can leave a good school for the new head Mari Palmer to take forward.

Mrs Hanch said: "She will have a great set of children , staff, governors and parents to work with and I wish the school every success for the future."

Head of Governors Penny Aspey, said Mrs Hanch had been an excellent headteacher.

"She is extremely kind and a lovely person to work with - the children adore her and there were lots of sad faces when she left," she added.

"Mrs Hanch has helped the school achieve a 'good' Ofsted report and we are very grateful to her for all the work she as done for Settrington Primary School. We wish her well and look forward to welcoming the new headteacher in January."