Children have bid a fond farewell to their school’s headteacher and a long-serving teaching assistant.

Michael Craig, headteacher at St James’ Infant and Nursery School in Whitehaven, is leaving the role after five years, and Val Howard is retiring as teaching assistant, after 22 years’ service.

Mr Craig will take on a new position as headteacher of St Herbert's C of E Primary School in Keswick from September.

Mrs Howard is looking forward to some “well deserved rest” and lots of camping holidays with her family.

To mark their departure, a special lunch was held in the sun, followed by a collective worship led by assistant headteacher Miss Stephanie Sapsed, with the children, staff and governors of St James'.

Pupils sang, danced, recited poetry and shared memories.

Mr Craig said: “It was absolutely amazing and I was blown away by the lengths everyone has gone to, to give me such an amazing send off.

“To quote AA Milne, 'how lucky am I to have something so special that saying goodbye is so hard'. This quote sums up how I feel brilliantly.

“I will miss everything about St James'. The children of St James' are an absolute delight to teach.

“It has been such a special place to work and come to for the last five years. The children, staff, parents and community members have been so supportive of me and I will be forever grateful for that.

“Huge thanks for the kind words to me since it was announced that I was leaving. I can't wait to see the school go from strength to strength.”

Mr Craig started his career at Newlaithes Infant School in Carlisle then went to Ashfield Infant School in Workington as a member of the leadership team before returning to Newlaithes as deputy head. He joined St James' in 2017.

He said he always knew he wanted to “make a difference to as many lives as possible” and working in education has enabled him to do so.

Mrs Howard became a parent helper when her daughter attended St James’. She “fell in love with the role”, which led on to her becoming a teaching assistant.

When asked what she enjoyed most about the role, Mrs Howard said: “It has to be the children because they make coming to work a joy. They are all individual little characters and learn in so many different ways, whether it be small steps or big ones. But most of all the look on their faces when they succeed.”

Mrs Howard added that she would miss the “family atmosphere” within St James’, the children and her colleagues.