PUPILS and staff at Netherton CE Primary School have bid farewell to a popular long serving teacher.

Pat Rimmer retired after 37 years after she starting working at the Highbridge Road school as a newly qualified teacher.

During almost four decades at the school, the Year One teacher has also seen generations of the same Netherton families in her classroom, teaching the young children of pupils she taught many years ago.

To mark the special occasion, Pat was seen off in style by staff, who threw her a surprise ‘Tea Party at the Ritz’ as they transformed the school hall after hours, complete with china teacups, table cloths and posh tea and cake.

She was also presented with gifts from pupils during a special assembly on the last day of term.

Office manager, Lynn Price, who has worked with Pat for 11 years, said: “She is very kind and friendly and is always happy and smiling. She will do anything for anyone and will be really missed here.”