A FORMER head teacher of Scarcroft Primary School in York, who calculated she had taught about 3,000 children during her career, has died at the age of 85.

Barbara Theakstone was born on February 10, 1924, at 193 Bishopthorpe Road, where she remained for virtually all of her life.

She was educated at The Bar Convent, before going to St Clement’s Primary School.

She completed her education at Queen Anne Grammar School, before going on to Homerton College, Cambridge, which was then a teacher-training college.

There she qualified as a teacher, following in the footsteps of her mother.

She spent 18 months teaching in Leeds, and then went to the then Scarcroft Junior School, in Moss Street, York.

She remained there for the rest of her working life, serving as a junior teacher, deputy head and finally head teacher.

She started at the school shortly after the Second World War, on March 1, 1946, when air raid shelters were still outside the school buildings.

She eventually retired on December 17, 1982, at the age of 58, after more than 36 years service to the school, 18 of which were as head teacher.

In her time at the school she believed she had taught about 3,000 children.

At the time ofd hger retirement, she said: “I have taught many children of children.

“Many of the parents are old pupils and even my secretary, Mrs Brenda Clark, is an old pupil.

“It has been interesting following the careers of so many.”

She also said of her time at Scarcroft Primary: “The school has always had a very good atmosphere.

“Although the school might have changed physically, the atmosphere has not.”

Such was her popularity that she was presented with many gifts on her retirement, including a painting of the school commissioned by the governors.

Miss Theakstone enjoyed travelling and visiting family overseas.

Apart from playing of bridge with friends, she gave many hours as a volunteer for the National Trust in York, and one of the gifts presented to her upon her retirement was a National Trust membership pack.

Her funeral was held at St Clement’s Church, in Scarcroft Road, York, on Monday.