A GROUP of school staff who between them have racked up more than 400 years service have been honoured at a special ceremony.

Twenty-one members of school staff in Ebor Academy Trust have had their long service recognised and celebrated.

Eight members of staff from schools across York, Tadcaster and the East Riding of Yorkshire, some with partners, enjoyed afternoon tea at the Principal Hotel in York to celebrate the achievement.

Peter D Acaster, chairman of the trust board, and Chris Chambers, vice-chairman, presented certificates and shopping vouchers from the trust in recognition of the contribution they have made to children’s education.

One of the recipients was 76-year-old Roger Scaife, who retires as site manager at Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy at the end of this month.

He joined the trust in 1996, initially to look after the newly-installed swimming pool.

Roger had been with Rowntree’s for 37 years previously as electrician, foreman, and maintenance manager.

Although he leaves the trust soon, Roger is being kept on to maintain the pool at weekends until a replacement is found.

Peter D Acaster, Chairman of the Ebor Academy Trust board, said: “Everyone who works in a school community knows what a privilege it is to be able to help shape young people’s lives on a day-to-day basis.

"All recipients of our long service award have each spent over 20 years in education – it’s a huge achievement and I congratulate them all.”

Ebor now comprises 22 schools. In York, with Osbaldwick, Ebor consists of Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy, Haxby Road Primary Academy, Park Grove Primary Academy, Lakeside Primary Academy, Hob Moor Community Primary Academy and Hob Moor Oaks.

There are other schools operated by Ebor in Selby, the East Riding and The Humber and on the Yorkshire Coast.