IT will be an emotional goodbye for one headteacher this week as she retires after more than 20 years at the helm of a village school where she was once a pupil.

Judith Pressley first set foot inside Ingleton CofE Primary School, in Teesdale, when she was just a girl in the 1960s.

A farmer's daughter, she said she was a "reluctant" pupil as she loved helping on the family farm so much but soon found her passion for learning and went on to qualify as a teacher herself.

She had the chance to join the school again 27 years ago when she took up a part-time teaching post following the birth of her son.

Mrs Pressley said she loved the job so much she ended up job sharing with the headteacher and became acting headteacher when she left.

And in 1997, she was given the role as headteacher herself.

Mrs Pressley said: "I was very fortunate to get the job from acting headteacher to headteacher and I have been here ever since.

"It's been lovely; this is just the best place to work. We have such a lovely, friendly, team of smashing people and a lovely community as well.

"That's what I wanted for the school - I wanted it to be part of the community and that's how we have grown because we have listened to the needs of working families."

Mrs Pressley, who lives in the village, said she felt "lucky" to have served the school as headteacher and had many happy memories of her time with the children.

Memorable moments included taking part in the Big Sing in Teesdale, as Mrs Pressley is very fond of music, and teaching in partnership schools in places such as France and Zambia.

Mrs Pressley said she also keeps former teacher Christine Bainbridge and Rev David Elleanor, in her thoughts as they were had a big impact on her during her time as head but have now sadly passed away.

Only 57, Mrs Pressley said she was taking early retirement but will still be working part time in education as well as enjoying some time travelling.

She is handing over the ropes to deputy headteacher, Karen Whitaker, who she said she was delighted would be "continuing the ethos of the school".

Mrs Pressley will be joined by the whole community for a special leaving get together at the school on Friday at 3.30pm and said everyone was welcome.