A HEAD TEACHER, teacher and school cook bowed out last week after a marathon of more than 65 combined working years.

Their individual careers have sparked fond memories, highlights and accolades, but all three are looking forward to relaxing after many busy years.

Hartford Infants School head teacher, Julie Burdon, is retiring after 10 years of teaching at the school.

Mrs Burdon, from near St Ives, has enjoyed many posts during her career as a teacher and head teacher.

Throughout her time at the school, she has overseen improvements to the school’s environment, including improving parking facilities, installing outside decking, planting fruit trees and creating a community room.

Getting an outstanding Ofsted report in 2008 was according to Mrs Burdon ‘the icing on the cake’ of her time at Hartford Infants School.

She said: “I will miss the fantastic staff and children I have met, and I hope to enjoy my retirement by having more time to myself to relax, but I’m unsure how yet as I’m so used to being busy.”

Ramsey Spinning Infants School teacher, Lynda Pollard, is retiring after 23 years of teaching.

Mrs Pollard, aged 60, who lives in Earith, is hanging up her marker pen as a foundation stage teacher, manager and special educational needs (SEN) co-ordinator at Ramsey Spinning Infants School.

She said she has fond memories throughout her teaching career, in particular the fantastic children and parents.

Mrs Pollard said: “I feel very lucky to have worked with such great staff and colleagues - we’ve grown old together, but not grown up.”

Her future career plans include travelling, spending time with her family and friends and making the most of time for herself during the day.

She says she will miss the day-to-day contact with children and parents, but definitely not the paperwork.

Meanwhile, Brampton Primary School cook, Janet Collins, is hanging up her ladel after a 22 year career as a cook.

Mrs Collins, aged 61, who is from Miller Way, Brampton, said she has seen an improvement in the healthiness of school dinners over her career, and said that the children have always been well-mannered.

Despite slaving over a hob all day, she has always cooked at home for her husband and two children, Sean and Shannon.

Mrs Collins said: “The highlight of my career was when BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Johnny Dee came to sing to me in the kitchen. The one thing I will miss the most is the children at school.”

When asked about her future plans, Mrs Collins said she plans to ‘put her feet up’.