A primary school teacher who has seen generations of families pass through the school gates has retired after 38 years.

Jill Pithers first joined Mountford Manor Primary School on Bothwell Road as a dinner lady in 1986, when her own children attended the school.

But after building a great reputation there, Jill was offered a teaching assistant job and chose to stay at the school even after her children had left.

"Teaching was never something I had planned to do, but it just worked well for me and I loved it," she said.

“I have seen a lot of people go through the school over the years and it’s just like a big family really.

“I have taught the children of people I once taught as children, and I have even got one old pupil who is a grandad now! It’s a strange feeling."

Mountford Manor just feels like one big family'Mountford Manor is just like like one big family' (Image: Dave Cox) Mountford Manor staff and pupils all came together on October 23, 2024, one week after Jill's 67th birthday, to celebrate her last day at the school.

Sharing some of her favourite memories, she said: “I loved back in the day when we used to go on school trips down to Lechlade to go on a horse-drawn barge.

“I have lots of great memories of my time there, but I have to say my favourite memory is just all the people.

“They all have your back and give you support when you need it. When my husband passed away they were there for me and without them, I don't know what I would have done.

"Anyone who goes in there has friends for life."

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The beloved teacher has seen generations pass through the schoolMrs Pithers has seen generations pass through the school (Image: Dave Cox) But after 38 years at Mountford Manor, Jill says it now just feels like the right time to leave and see what else there is in the world.

She's already enjoying retired life, having spent the last fortnight sailing the seas on a Caribbean cruise.

“I'll be keeping in touch though," she added.

"It’s really hard to explain how you feel, but I don’t know what my life would be like if Mountfield Manor weren’t in it.

“In some jobs, you don’t like talking about your personal life but at Mountfield, it was just one big family and I'll treasure that forever."

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