A DEDICATED headteacher was surprised by staff and pupils on her final day in the job.

Following several farewell events during her last week at the helm of Houghton Primary School on Jackson Road in Carlisle, Lindsey Slater was greeted with dozens of smiling faces, a special sing-a-long, and a big bouquet.

The 52-year-old from Carlisle left at the end of December to take up a new job as an education advisor at Cumbria County Council.

Lindsey told The Cumberland News: “I arrived at the school 23 years ago as a Year 4/5 class teacher, and then after 12 years I applied for the deputy head role, and then took on the headteacher role after that.

“I’ve taught in all the year groups across the school at some point throughout my career.”

Before taking on the job at Houghton Primary, Lindsey began her teaching career at Valley Junior School in Whitehaven.

“I came into teaching quite late, as after I got my degree in geography I then went travelling round Australia for a couple of years.

“After backpacking, I came back and worked at Cowans and Sheldon in Carlisle for six years.

It was after that when I went on to do my post-grad in teaching at Durham University.”

Looking back at the last 25 years at the Houghton school, Lindsey also reflected on how things have evolved since she began.

She added: “I’m pleased to have seen the school develop and grow and become as successful as it is.

“We’ve got the new extension now, and have gone from mixed-ages classes to one-form entry, and the school is continually growing in size.

“Another factor is seeing the staff flourish in their roles, and go on from teachers to acting heads.

“That whole development of staff has been wonderful to see.”

Throughout the last two-and-a-half decades, Lindsey has witnessed many school trips and parties.

“Certainly the residentials we do every year always create wonderful memories for the children and for us.

“I’d also say the 50th and 60th anniversary celebrations in 2008 and 2018 of the school being on its current site by Jackson Road are also firm highlights.

“I’ve seen both of those events happen, which has been great.

“We get all the photographs out of the archives and welcome back a number of our ex-pupils for a catch up, as well as a trip down memory lane.

“Some of the pupils who returned were at the school at the very beginning when it first opened.

“There’s a lot of people who have fond memories of Houghton school who return for our open celebrations.”

“I’ve had the most wonderful teaching career and I leave with the fondest memories of a wonderful time at the school with brilliant staff, pupils, parents and governors,” Lindsey added.

In a statement, a spokesman from the school said: “We would like to thank Mrs Slater from the bottom of our hearts for making our school such a wonderful place to be, not only for the children but for parents, staff and volunteers.”

Recruitment is underway for a new headteacher to take over. Applications for the role closed last week, and the new head is set to take up their post at the start of the summer term in June.

In the interim, early years teacher Miss Mawson will be the acting headteacher, with year six teacher and PE co-ordinator Mr Johnston taking on the role as acting deputy headteacher.