A BELOVED headteacher retiring after nearly 20 years says the school has held "a very special place" in her life.

Tomorrow (Friday, December 19) will be Angela Deakin's last day at St Barnabas C of E Primary School, after 17 years at the helm.

Mrs Deakin said: "It will be very hard to leave the school gates for the last time, as I have built up a lot of close friendships and bonds with staff members, children and parents over the years who I will miss greatly.

"There is such a great community here, we also have great links with St Barnabas Church too. It's been a wonderful journey throughout the years.

"This role and this school has had a very special place in my life all these years, and I want to say a massive thank you to every single person who has been a part of that.

"This has been a very hard decision to come to, but with mixed emotions, I decided the time was right to step down.

"The next headteacher, Sarah Hanson, has great reins to take over and I wish her success in the future. This is a wonderful school to be a headteacher at."

Mrs Deakin, 57, was formerly acting headteacher of a school in West Bromwich before taking the role at the Worcester school, says she is proud of what has been achieved.

"When I first came here the school was in a difficult time. There was no real profile to the school. "When I told people I was at St Barnabas, they would think I was talking about schools outside of Worcester, in places like Kidderminster.

"It's grown and grown over the years and we have built up its reputation. School grounds have been extended, mobile units for further teaching have been built and the team of staff- some of whom have been with me from the start- has grown in so many ways.

"Myself and the team have put the school on the map with these developments, and I would like to be remembered with that success.

"There are so many proud moments here it's too hard to pick one out, but I am very proud of where the school is now" she said.

Mr Deakin says she will take retirement each day as it comes, but will stay in touch will all those whose lives she touched.

She said: "There is so much love and care in this school and everyone in the community, I have been truly touched by it.

"I don't have any plans for retirement yet, but I will keep in touch with everyone at the school."