AFTER almost 38 years of hard work and dedication, Malcolm Hall had just one last duty to fulfil.

Mr Hall, who is Northgate High’s longest-serving teacher, is bidding a final farewell to the school as he prepares to retire from his role as head of year.

It was an emotional day as Mr Hall welcomed his final set of students to the school to collect their results.

He was known around the school for inspiring countless students to get involved in sport, while also providing pastoral care.

He said: “It was a very emotional day, but lovely to see happy faces and tears of joy, all of it justly deserved.”

The school said his commitment to his year groups was demonstrated by the fact that he has only been willing to contemplate retirement once his current charges completed their GCSEs.

Headteacher David Hutton said: “Malcolm has been a tremendous servant to the school and has experienced many changes since he first arrived at Northgate Grammar School for Boys as a young PE teacher in January 1975.

“He is held in high regard. I was especially proud of the Year 11 pupils at that their final assembly when they presented gifts and gave Malcolm a long and well-deserved standing ovation. It was like a scene from ‘Goodbye Mr Chips’ and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.”