A headteacher who has worked at primary schools across Carlisle has retired.

Val Bairstow, 60, stepped down after eight years in charge of Kirkbride Primary School - which was voted Primary School of the Year at this year's Cumberland News Golden Apple awards.

Staff and pupils held a special assembly for her on Friday and tears were shed.

Mrs Bairstow joined the school, near Wigton, in 2008 having been deputy head at Pennine Way Primary School in Harraby.

She also worked at Morton Park Primary School until it closed and has taught at Petteril Bank School in Harraby.

Mrs Bairstow said: "It has been such an emotional time but it means I can finally have a holiday out of term time."

She will fly to Mexico in January with her husband for a well deserved break.

She also plans to help out with a friend's bistro in south west Scotland.

Speaking of her time at the school, Mrs Bairstow said: "It's been a ball.

"Everyone at this school, from the staff to the cleaners, cooks, teaching assistants and governors, have pulled together and made it what it is.

"We are all part of the same team with the ultimate aim of giving children the best education we can."

She praised the school's link with the community and work it does for charity.
Mrs Bairstow said: "We have supported the Kirkbride Carnival and the church and we do our bit for charity.

"We collect some elderly ladies on a Tuesday from their homes and bring them into school to do crafts.

"We don't have to do it but we do because it's nice, it keeps them occupied and we enjoy it.

"It's about a school being part of the community and that's important."

She said having a laugh with the children was an important part of the job.

"Our children are full of joy," she added.

"They love coming to school and they are always teasing me.

"You have to give children memorable experiences. The best thing about this job is the impact you will have on someone's life and that's forever."

Mrs Bairstow moved to Cumbria in 1990 when her husband relocated.

Her first job was in acting. "I used to go round schools with a theatre production,"she said.

She has also run her own language school.

Dawn Maxwell, who was deputy head at Inglewood Junior School in Carlisle, will be the new headteacher at Kirkbride.

Mrs Bairstow said: "I gave the governors loads of notice so they could appoint the right person.

"I have worked closely with Dawn and she will do a brilliant job."