The head teacher of a Bath primary school has said farewell after 11 years' service.
Jo Claridge, from Oldfield Park Infant School, is taking early retirement from teaching and said her goodbyes during an emotional last week of parties and a special assembly.
She said she was finishing her 32-year career to spend more time with her family and to take a well-earned break for herself.
But said she would miss all the children and their parents.
Mrs Claridge said: "I will especially miss the community of Oldfield Park, it is a really special community around the school and everyone is so supportive of the school."
Chair of governors Jude Dent paid tribute to Mrs Claridge's passion and dedication to teaching and said she would be missed by everyone at the school.
She said: "Jo is a much-loved and well-respected head teacher, who has supported hundreds of children at the start of their education, nurturing a safe, inclusive and vibrant environment in which they all thrive.
"Jo has an incredible capacity for remembering not only the children's names, but their siblings', parents' and even grandparents' too, and makes everyone feel valued and welcome.
"Her infectious laugh and bearhugs will be fondly remembered and the school will definitely not be the same without her."
Ms Dent said deputy head teacher Pete George would be taking over in the short term and the governors would be looking to appoint a new head to start next September.
