THE HEADTEACHER of a Dorchester School bade an emotional fare-well after 40 years of teaching.

Jane Mockridge, who has been at Manor Park First School for the last six years, received a special present from staff and children on her last day before retirement.

Mrs Mockridge, who saw the Mellstock Avenue school rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted at its last inspection in 2009, said she couldn’t imagine a happier place to bid farewell to teaching after 40 years in the job.

She said: “I’ve had a wonderful time, I think I’ve got one of the most privileged and best jobs possible to work with children and I have enjoyed every day of it.

“I have loved working in Dorchester and it’s a great place to work with support from a fantastic set of colleagues and the other headteachers at Dorch-ester schools. I have just been immensely happy at Manor Park, I couldn’t imagine ending my careers at a happier, nicer school.”

On her last day Mrs Mockridge, who also had spells as headteacher at Cerne Abbas and Wimborne First Schools, was presented with a quilt featuring the hand print of all the pupils at the school that had been stitched and embroidered by the staff.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted with it because it’s just completely unique.”

Mrs Mockridge, 61, said she was now looking forward to retirement and taking a ‘new direction’.

She said: “Retirement is going to be strange but I think extremely nice, I’m looking forward to it. I think my plan is to have a bit of a rest and look at what I’m going to do next, then take a new direction somewhere.”

Mrs Mockridge, who lives in Weymouth, said she was planning to stay in the area.

She said: “I wouldn’t leave Dorset for anything, we are very happy here.”

Mrs Mockridge’s role at Manor Park will be taken up by Melanie Cridland, the current head of Piddle Valley First School and she is confident the school is being left in good hands.

She said: “I know she’s going to be absolutely fine here and there is masses and masses of support available to her.”