Super six call it a day

SIX of the best . . . (from left) Tony Rowell, Dianne Rawlinson, Bill Devine, Lynn Bradbury, Andy Wilde and Chris Layton

SIX Kaskenmoor teachers are retiring after chalking up 186 years between them in Oldham’s classrooms.

They are leaving at the end of an era for the Hollinwood school which closes on Tuesday.

Assistant head of English Lynn Bradbury (59) leads the way with 38 years at Fitton Hill and Kaskenmoor schools.

She is followed by assistant head teacher Bill Devine and assistant head of science Tony Rowell, both 58, and retiring after 36 years.

Bill taught at Grange before moving to Kaskenmoor where Tony has spent his teaching career.

Assistant head teacher Andy Wilde (55) is leaving after 34 years and previously taught at Breeze Hill.

Fellow assistant head Chris Layton (50) has been at North Chadderton, Crompton House and Kaskenmoor for 28 years while head of languages Dianne Rawlinson (54) has been at Kaskenmoor for 14 years.

Kaskenmoor will be replaced by an academy in September and the six shared fond memories of countless school productions, trips and community events.

Andy said: “It has been a very happy place to work.

“We are all very, very proud to have been at Kaskenmoor. I think the fact that people have stayed here so long is testament to the way the school has been and how it has served the children.

“It is a new era and we all have some fantastic memories, both working with the pupils and the relationships we have built up among staff.”

The Roman Road school was Oldham’s first comprehensive when it opened in 1966 and was one of the most up-to-date in the country.

It will merge with South Chadderton in September to become one of Oldham’s first academies, and plans to move into a new building in Brook Mill, Hollins, in 2012.

Bill added: “The school opened in 1966 when England won the World Cup.

“We were hoping it would close the same way.”