A TRIO of headteachers with a combined 38 years at the helm of their nursery schools are set to retire.

Gillian Wroe of McMillan Nursery School, Nelson, Jane Imrie of Woodfield Nursery, Brierfield, and Jaqueline Mitchell of Bradley Nursery, Nelson, will leave their posts after school term ends.

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Each head has spent at least 30 years in the education profession, starting out as teachers.

They have all lauded their chance to work with the children, parents and colleagues at their respective nurseries.

Mrs Wroe, who has been the headteacher at McMillan Nursery for 20 years, said: “Teaching has changed quite dramatically since I first started, and paperwork has definitely been put forward above all other things.

“The good thing about teaching here though is that I have been able to continue to work with the children, the parents and be a part of this community.

“I want to thank everyone for my time spent here.”

Mrs Imrie, who has led the Brierfield-based nursery for four years, said: “I have enjoyed working with the school very much.

“The staff, governors and parents have all been very supportive and have worked very hard to provide the children with a great start to their education.

“I am now ready to retire after 35 years in early education and feel confident that my successor, Angela Dixon, will enjoy her time here as much as I have.”

Bradley Nursery headteacher Mrs Mitchell, who has been at the helm for 14 years, said: “The school is an absolutely amazing place for people to come and learn due to the dedication of the staff.

“The parents have also been wonderful during my tenure and I’d like to thank everyone for helping me along the way.

“Teaching nowadays is a much more stressful situation, and you have got to really work hard to make your money, but in some ways that’s a good thing.

“I have loved my 14 years with Bradley, it’s my baby and hopefully I’ve left it in the best hands possible.”