A SCHOOL head is stepping down after a teaching career spanning 34 years.

Christine Gabbott, 57, has been head at Pickhill primary, near Thirsk, for nine years.

She was previously head of Years 5 and 6 at Thirsk Community School and also worked at South Kilvington primary.

Before that Mrs Gabbott, who has a daughter and a son, taught in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

Now she plans to travel and enjoy days out with her husband Nigel, a retired science tutor.

“I’ve loved teaching and helping children to succeed, and when they’ve found things difficult, I’ve enjoyed finding a way to make it easy and fun for them," said Mrs Gabbott.

Rowena Sykes, head at Leeming and Londonderry primary, will take over as executive head of both schools from September.