Staff, pupils and parents of Hillside Primary School in Newsome have said a fond farewell to their headteacher Mrs Dawn Horton.

She began her teaching career in a residential special school in Dewsbury in 1979 and then taught at a high school in Bradford for two years until she had her three daughters.

In 1987 she started supply work and worked temporarily at Berry Brow Infant and Nursery School and Christ Church Woodhouse.

She also taught at Reinwood Infant and Nursery School, until becoming deputy head at Lepton C of E School. In 2002, she became head at the former Stile Common Infant and Nursery School, before finally moving to Hillside Primary in September 2009.

Mrs Horton was a key figure in the long process of planning and building Hillside.

She said: “The proudest day of my whole career was November 9, 2009, when we opened the school to the children.

“The looks of awe and amazement on their faces is a picture which will never leave me”.

She celebrated her retirement with colleagues past and present, at an afternoon tea held at Hillside. Pupils and parents said their farewells at a special assembly on her last day.

She was presented with gifts and flowers, including jewellery, gardening vouchers and chocolates.

Mrs Horton said: “It has been such a privilege to work with the children and families of Hillside and Stile Common over the last 13 years.

“I have worked with some incredible staff and we’ve shed tears of joy and sorrow along the way.

“I have learned so much and have been very fortunate to have had such a wonderful career. I thank everyone for their support over the years”.