‘Miss’ chalks up 34 years

Teacher Julie Carter reckons she has earned her early retirement today after a top of the class innings of 34 years at the same school.

Mrs Carter (56) from Austerlands joined Hodge Clough Junior School, Moorside, just a year after it opened.

And she stuck it out working with a total of six heads and two acting headteachers.

Julie has taught mostly Year 3 and Year 4 pupils with occasional spells of teaching for Year Five and Six.

She said: “I have enjoyed most of my time at Hodge Clough and it’s very nice that I only have to travel two miles to work.”

Mrs Carter said: “I have particularly enjoyed the fun things with the children and seeing them making progress.”

Retirement will mean more time for Mrs Carter, to spend on hobbies. They have included tennis, badminton and squash. And now she intends to do more walking.

But there may be a little room in her life for some part-time teaching.