A “ROLE model” science teacher and assistant head will pass his teaching legacy to his daughter when he retires after 20 years at an East Lancashire school.

Derek Elliott, 60, from Standish, will step down at the end of the summer holidays leaving his daughter Kathryn Elliott, 25, to continue his work as a science teacher at Blackburn Central High School (BCHS).

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Mr Elliott, who is also the Haslingden Road school’s child protection leader and one of four assistant headteachers, left school at 16 to train as an engineer.

He spent 10 years in the merchant navy before starting his career at Queens Park before it became Blackburn Central High in 2012.

Mr Elliott said: “I’m dead chuffed to be retiring, but I will miss the staff and the kids. The kids are fantastic.

“They have taught me a lot as well - that there are many ways to get to the same place and there is no simple answer. You have to approach things differently.”

He said his role as a child protection leader has shown him no matter what children’s personal circumstances are, they manage to get through it and achieve.

Mr Elliott said over the years the teaching methods have changed.

He said: “It’s the same children, but a different way of doing things.

“The teaching is more child-focused now. We facilitate learning rather than drill information into them.”

“I have been given a chance to show my personality in teaching physics and use dozens of ways to teach rather than just learning from a book.

“I regard myself as being incredibly lucky to do what I do.”

Speaking of his daughter Ms Elliott, he said: “She always wanted to be a teacher and was given a chance a couple of years ago to come and learn some skills at the school.” The staff do call her ‘mini me’.”He said the thing his daughter will miss is “the chauffeur into work everyday”.

Ms Elliott said: “My dad is not only an inspiration to the young people he has taught. He has been my role model and I hope I can make him proud.”

Headteacher Diane Atkinson said: “Derek is a very valued member of staff who has contributed enormously to the day to day running of the school.”

“He has had such a positive impact on the lives of the young people that have been part of the Queens Park, Blakewater and BCHS with Crosshill family. “We wish him every happiness and success as he begins the next stage of his journey.”

Mr Elliott said he would love to continue with child protection work, but will also be spending more time on the golf course and travelling with his wife.