With over sixty years of teaching between them two of Richmond's favourite teachers prepare for retirement.

Half her life teaching

Teaching at the same school for half her life has left St Edmund’s deputy headteacher with so many fond memories there are just too many for her to pick a favourite.

But Ann Watts, who has been at the Catholic primary school in Whitton for 30 years, said one thing she will definitely remember is the laughter.

She said: “Some of the things I remember are the fun, the laughter and the successes of the school community.

“I feel privileged to have worked in the Catholic community of St Edmund’s – it is a family and we always feel proud of that family receiving support care and kindness from everyone.”

Mrs Watts, 60, will move to Ireland after her retirement to be with her family and plans on filling much of her time looking after her two grandchildren.

Last week pupils and staff hosted a goodbye picnic for the school stalwart, surprising her with a visit from past students and presenting her with a memory book. There was also a school mass held in her honour and a special display was created in the school to share her memories.

Carmel Moreland, current headteacher, described Mrs Watts as a local institution.

She said: “Ann has been here for 30 years and knows not only the parents and grandparents [of our pupils] but has taught a lot of the parents too.

“She is going to be missed hugely because she knows so many of them so well – it will have a huge impact.”

'It's all about the kids'

Retirement will be just like a belated gap year for long-standing maths teacher Clive Chapman when he retires after more than 30 years of teaching.

Mr Chapman, 60, who has taught at Orleans Park School for 37 years, said he had been joking with pupils about his plans for the future.

He said: “I told them it’s my gap year – I’m just a bit late taking it.

“It’s probably the scariest thing I’ve done and the most exciting.”

But the former Orleans pupil, and now teacher, won’t be short of things to do when he leaves the school – he has plenty planned including trips to New Zealand and Spain, spending time on his boats and decorating the house.

But Mr Chapman said he was sure he will miss the school and his pupils greatly.

He said: “My involvement with Orleans goes back almost 50 years – I bridged the old to the new.

“Every day is different and you often have to smile about things that happen and become quite jovial with the kids. Over the years I have taught a whole variety of subjects, taken kids fishing and even jumped out of an aircraft [for charity].

“It’s been enjoyable and if the truth be known it’s not the subject it’s the teaching – it’s all about the kids I teach.”