A headteacher retiring after a decade in the hot seat was given a fitting send-off with a surprise party in the park.
Grainne Morland has held the reins at Our Lady and St John's RC Primary School, in Brentford for 10 years, having been a teacher there for the previous 14. She is retiring to return to her native Ireland with her husband Ray.
Staff, parents and pupils decided to show her how much she will be missed by organising a secret picnic in the walled garden at Boston Manor Park on Wednesday (July 16).
The shock and delight on her face was clear to see as she walked through the gates of the garden to a fantastic reception.
Mrs Morland was joined at the picnic by her husband, two sisters and her mother, who had flown over from Ireland especially for the celebration.
After being presented with leaving gifts, she tucked into home made cakes and biscuits, and was even treated to live music from a band made up of pupils and parents.
"I'm looking forward to the sleep-ins and will not miss the cold, dark mornings greeting the children by the gates," she said of her retirement.
"But I will miss each and every member of the wonderful community at Our Lady and St John's Primary School."
