AFTER 18 years as a much-loved head teacher, Doreen Bartlett is saying a sad farewell to pupils and parents this Christmas as she sets off on a new challenge.

AFTER 18 years as a much-loved head teacher, Doreen Bartlett is saying a sad farewell to pupils and parents this Christmas as she sets off on a new challenge.

Mrs Bartlett is leaving Fairfield Infants in Felixstowe to become a new general advisor for primary education in the southern area of Suffolk.

"It is a big wrench and I am sad to be moving on. I am particularly sad to be leaving the children as in my new role I will never know a group of children in the same way," she said.

"I will be meeting children all the time but I won't get to know them like you do as a head teacher, seeing them progress through the school and enjoying be a part of that school family every day.

"I have told them that they must wave to me and come and say hello if they seem me walking up and down the prom."

Like all headteachers, her role and work has changed considerably since she arrived at the school in High Road West back in 1985.

She had previously been head of the now closed Parham voluntary aided primary school, and before that worked as a teacher in Bradford.

She had decided the time has come for a change partly because she would like a new challenge, but also through a desire to use her skills and expertise in other areas, particularly to apply her recent post graduate studies.

The new job will involve giving support and advice to schools in Ipswich, the Shotley peninsula, Martlesham and Kesgrave, working on governor and teacher training, some inspection work, recruitment and making appointments.

"It is involves quite a wide range of activities and will be an exciting challenge. I want to fully focus on teaching and learning and school improvements, which will be a key factor, helping each school to improve," said Mrs Bartlett.

She was leaving behind a thriving school which was involved in many ways in the community, and was in safe hands with a dedicated and committed staff.

The school organised a farewell party for her at which guests included many former staff, governors and people who had been connected with the school.