HEADTEACHER Lyn Taylor is to retire after 38 years in the profession.

The 60-year-old will have her final day at Warminster’s St John’s Primary School on Boreham Road, on July 22 after joining as headteacher six years ago.

Inspired to get into teaching from the age of nine by her own teacher, Mrs Taylor has left a lasting impression at the Warminster school.

She said: “A lot of the children have started giving me little cards saying ‘we don’t want you to leave’ and parents have been giving me gifts.

“It will be very emotional to do the last day and no doubt there will be a tear or two.

“The biggest satisfaction I have got out of doing the job is making a difference to people’s lives, and not just children, but whole families.”

Mrs Taylor, who lives in Southwick, is a former member of the Trowbridge Players and is part of Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society, and is keen to continue her hobby of directing, as well as taking some well-deserved holidays after beginning her career at The Grove Primary in Trowbridge. and has since worked at Monkton Park Primary in Chippenham, Paxcroft Primary in Trowbridge, St Barnabas Primary in Devizes and Westbury Juniors.

“I’ll be very sad to leave, the children have been so nice to work with,” Mrs Taylor added.

“The reputation of the school has got better since I came here, it’s grown and it’s now glowing.

“I think the best thing I’ve done for the school is building the new school which took about two years but I knew as soon as I started that we needed a new one and really pushed for it.

“I’ve already got three holidays planned though so it will be nice to have a break from what can be a stressful job.”