A CELEBRATION of nearly 61 years of service to children in West Devon by three headteachers has been held by the county’s schools chiefs.

In West Devon, Nicola Pratten has spent 27 years teaching children in the county and will be retiring as head of Mary Tavy and Brentor Primary School at the end of this term.

Nick D’Agorne from North Tawton Primary gave 20 years’ service in Devon while Tim Woodward is retiring as head of Lew Trenchard School after 14 years’ service in Devon.

To celebrate their service, the heads were invited to a special garden party and buffet supper in Exeter.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet member for schools, James McInnes, chief executive Phil Norrey and head of education and learning, Dawn Stabb, hosted the celebration for heads who are leaving their schools during the current academic year after a lifetime of service in Devon and other parts of the country.

Mr McInnes said you could feel the energy in a school when you walked in and that was down to the staff and in particular the leadership. The Cabinet member wished those who were retiring a long and happy retirement and every success to those who were moving on to new ventures.

He added: ‘Devon has a lot to be proud of – particularly in its education service.

‘My sincere thanks go to you all on behalf of Devon County Council and the children of Devon for all the work you have done and the results you have achieved despite the low national funding of our schools.’

Dr Norrey said he wanted to thank the heads on behalf of the thousands of children who had passed through their care over the years.

The chief executive of the First Federation, which oversees 13 primary schools across Devon, Paul Jones, who was previously head of Blackpool Primary School near Newton Abbot, is also leaving after 42 years’ service in Devon.