IPSWICH: Primary school children have bid a fond farewell to a retiring teacher after 38 years of unwavering dedication to her pupils.

Jan Lloyd has spent her entire career at Ranelagh Primary School, teaching hundreds of children.

The current crop of youngsters said goodbye in Tudor costume to round off a term of studying the historic period and unveiled a new mosaic at the school’s relaxation area.

Mrs Lloyd was not only given a warm send-off by children and staff at Ranelagh but was also invited to Buckingham Palace for a garden party in recognition of her long service to the school.

Sue Thomas, chair of governors, said: “Jan has given incredible service to Ranelagh and the children who have been through the school.

“She has been a very popular teacher who will be sorely missed.

“Jan has shown her dedication to Ranelagh school by staying for so long.”

The children wore old fashioned dress as part of their Tudor project, which saw them visit Kentwell Hall earlier in the term.

And the theme continued this week as pupils took to the stage for the end of year production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Mrs Lloyd leaves Ranelagh Primary as a year-long project reaches completion in the school’s rest and relaxation area.

Art teacher Jaymee Stewart oversaw the creation of a Claude Monet-style mosaic, for which each pupil contributed a tile.

Deputy headteacher Daniel Jones said: “The mosaic was a result of the children studying Monet.

“It was for our rest and relax area and the children chose it because it seemed very tranquil. It is the Bridge at Giverny and interestingly it was painted in the same decade as when our school was built.”

n Is a long-serving teacher at your school retiring? Call the newsdesk on 01473 324790 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk