ONE of the longest-serving head teachers in East Lancashire is set to retire.

Liz Klavins started as a teacher at Fairfield Nursery & Children’s Centre 27 years ago before becoming head in 1991.

With a focus on high-quality early education, Dr Klavins has overseen the growth of the nursery school from 80 to 200 pupils, extending provision for those aged two to five.

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She also established a children’s centre in 2005 which supports families in the community and instigated The Duckling Club Charity in order to provide day-care places for the most disadvantaged children.

Dr Klavins, 56, said she was inspired to set up the children’s centre after a little girl came to the nursery “shivering with cold and starving”.

Dr Klavins said: “It is mixed emotions. I am very sad to leave. I have really loved being here.

“We have continued to grow and change and I am really proud of what we have achieved.

“I am very sad to leave that but I know I am leaving it in really safe hands.”

Having trained as a teacher specialising in early education, she feels passionate about nursery education and improving the life chances of children by having qualified teachers in place.

She said: “It is a different focus from childcare. I feel very strongly that we should be looking at putting money into high-quality education for the most vulnerable.

“We do have a lot of children come to the nursery who are already anything from a year to 19 months behind the typical level of ability for their age.”

Dr Klavins said she will continue to work part-time as a school adviser.

She said: “I also have a beautiful five-month-old granddaughter, Mabel, and will be looking after her two days a week so I am thrilled to bits about that. I plan to do some walking and painting — things I have not had time to do.”

Sacha Walker-Byrne, 46, who has been deputy head for 10 years, will take over as head from September.

She said: “Liz has been an inspiration to colleagues and wider professionals.”