A headteacher has retired after 15 years at a primary school.

Anne Duke has served as headteacher at Mount Pleasant school in Clayton-le-Moors since 1999 and retired at the end of this term.

The mum-of-one said it has been a ‘great honour and privilege’ to serve the school and the community and cites the Outstanding Ofsted rating in 2008 as her proudest achievement.

Mrs Duke, who previously served as a headteacher in Burnley for five years, has been in the teaching profession for four decades and now retires at the age of 62.

She said: “I have actually worked a few years beyond what I needed to do but that’s only because I love the school and what I am doing.

“I have loved working at Mount Pleasant and serving the children and community of Clayton-le-Moors.

“Together as a team we have created an Outstanding Ofsted-rated school and I am very, very proud of my years in the profession.

“It was a decade-long journey to get to that point and since then the results have been consistent and they haven’t felt the need to come back.

“I have worked with wonderful and dedicated teachers.”

Mrs Duke was treated to a special buffet lunch and gifts on the last day of term and an assembly which featured current and former staff members and governors and local headteachers.

The huge Manchester City fan, who lives in Manchester, said she is now looking forward to her retirement and paid special thanks to the Observer.

She said: “I’m now looking forward to spending more time going to the theatre and ballet and with my husband to as many away City matches.

“I’d like to say a special thanks to the Observer who have been a huge support in promoting what we’ve done.”