Last updated at 10:10, Friday, 17 July 2009

A TEACHER from Maryport’s Netherhall School is leaving after 37 years as a former pupil takes up her job.

New head of Netherhall School sixth form Claire Atkinson, left, and Sarah Bedford who is retiring head of sixth form after teaching at the school for 37 years. Claire is a former pupil of Sarah's.

Sarah Bedford, 59, of Dearham, has worked at the school since 1972 but for 20 years she was head of sixth form.

She stood down last year to make way for Claire Atkinson, 33, who was taught by Mrs Bedford and who joined the staff 11 years ago teaching RE and philosophy.

“I called her Miss for the first 18 months I was here,” said Mrs Atkinson.

Mrs Bedford remained at the school as a sixth form teacher.

Mrs Atkinson said: “The transition could have been difficult but she told me that this was my department now and to make any changes I wanted.”She has transformed the sixth form from classrooms to an environment with sofas, desks, pot plants and black and white photos of Maryport landmarks to engender pride in the students’ town. There is also a kitchen for student use.

Mrs Bedford, who is from Hertfordshire, studied at Lancaster University and completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Education in Newcastle.

She came to Netherhall as a history teacher . She has taught American, British and German history, has taken applied business classes and will return to school part-time next year to get on class through their applied business course.

She has also taught travel and tourism, general studies, politics and leisure studies.

She and husband Bruce have made the most of West Cumbria, cycling, walking the fells and, more recently, playing golf.

Reducing her handicap of 20 is one of Mrs Bedford’s ambitions for her retirement.n Netherhall teacher Moira Beanhead, who started teaching in West Cumbria at the same time as Mrs Bedford, is also retiring.

Mrs Beanhead, director of 14 to 19 learning, has had overall responsibility for GCSE and A levels.

Born and raised in Aspatria, she also attended Lancaster Universityand came to West Cumbria in 1972 to begin her teaching career.

Mrs Beanhead began her working life at Salterbeck School in Workington, now Southfield Technology College, where she worked for 12 years.

She moved to Netherhall School 25 years agoand said she never intended staying so long “but it is such a lovely school with such a great staff and students that I did not want to leave”.

She is looking forward to spending time with husband Howard, who is retiring from his job as quality manager at Lakes College, Lillyhall.

The couple plan to travel the world, walk the fells, ski and do tasks they never had time to do.

First published at 19:29, Thursday, 16 July 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk