PUPILS and staff at a York primary school organised a surprise send-off for a much-loved head teacher.

As The Press reported earlier this year, Andrew Calverley who oversaw the rebuilding of Park Grove School following a devastating fire in the 1990s, is retiring after 21 years as head and the school community came together to give him a party.

Mr Calverley, the head at Park Grove since September 1991, is retiring at the end of next week, aged 60, after teaching generations of youngsters in The Groves.

His wife, Jean, the former deputy head at Clifton Green, retired last year and Mr Calverley was presented with a special cake on his big day.

Speaking about his plans for retirement, he said: “The first thing I’d like to do is go on holiday with my wife. I’ll also have time to ride my bike and watch cricket and take my holidays when I want.”