A TEACHER who has retired after 43 years at the same school in the Forest says her time there has been “a huge privilege”.

Sue Fowler had an interview as a student at Mitcheldean Endowed Primary School in 1976 and has been there ever since.

During her time there she has taught children in Years Two to Four – including the children of former pupils.

The school held a community day on Thursday to mark Mrs Fowler’s retirement – although she will be returning to help pupils.

“It’s been a privilege to work with all the children I’ve worked with, because they have all brought something to my life and hopefully I’ve brought something to theirs – they are so interested in everything and they are so responsive.

“I had the opportunity to progress my career here and to join the management team as a senior leader.

“The school has evolved and given me the opportunity to build a fabulous career here.

“Things were very different – it’s been fun to grow with the school and always be prepared to take on something new.

“I love my job and I could easily stay – I’m going early because I think the time is right to start doing other things, but if they hadn’t managed to appoint I would easily have done another year.”

Mrs Fowler said she will be spending more time on her mountain bike and looking after her god-daughters – and she is renovating an old house.

She added: “I’ve also been invited back in, so I’ll be doing some help and support.

“It’s not like the end, it’s just I won’t be spending my time planning and marking books – I’ll be spending my time with children, which is what I love.

“I have taught children of people I taught. It’s lovely to see what they are doing now and how their careers have progressed.

“A lot have gone on to teach, so it makes you feel they must have had a good experience here.

“They‘ve gone onto all walks of life, which means we must have given them a good grounding and education.”

Among the former pupils who came to wish Mrs Fowler well was Richard Davies, whose three children were also taught by her.

He said: “I was in her second class and I remember Miss Bundy, as she was, as always being very nice.

“She was a good tea- cher and very friendly,” he recalled.

He said his son Dan, who is still at the school and was taught by Mrs Fowler, didn’t believe him when he told him he had also been taught by her.