A double farewell to school’s top teachers

Last updated 20:12, Thursday, 17 July 2008

A WORKINGTON headteacher and her deputy are leaving their school.

CLASS ACT: Pupils at St Michael’s Nursery and Infant School say goodbye to headteacher Andrea Pattinson, centre, and assistant headteacher Sheena Brown

Andrea Pattinson, who has been headteacher of St Michael’s Nursery and Infant School on Station Road for two-and-a-half years, will take over at Cockermouth’s Fairfield Infant School, while deputy head Sheena Brown is taking early retirement.

Mrs Pattinson, 45, said: “These last two-and-a-half years have been brilliant.

“The children are so caring and that is something we have pushed forward and nurtured.

“It is very much a community school. We have great support from the parents and we want to emphasise the importance of the parents to the school.

“We have a great team of staff here and it was nice to get a positive Ofsted report.

“However, the main thing is to see the children move on successfully.”

Mrs Brown, who has been the deputy head for two years, has decided to take early retirement at the age of 54.

She said she had enjoyed her time at the school.

She added: “It has been absolutely fantastic and I have loved every minute.

“It is such a lovely school. The kids are great, the parents are supportive and the staff are brilliant.”

Mrs Brown plans to travel and spend time with her family.

She said: “I enjoy walking in the countryside with my dogs so it will give me a lot more time to do that.

“Generally, I will just be a lot more relaxed and laid back.”