PLENTY of pupils may come and go throughout the years but headteachers at one primary school tend to stay for decades.

Tony Starkey is one of the long-standing heads at Stanhope Primary School, in Mansell Road, Greenford. The 63-year-old is leaving after 25 years and he says there was no better job he would have wanted to do.

Mr Starkey, who works his last day on Friday, said: “Things have changed beyond recognition in many ways, especially the role of the headteacher. But relating to children has always been the principal aspect, working with them to bring out their talents and develop their potential, I think that's what I will miss most.

“The other remarkable thing is that there are always fresh challenges, it's as though it's not the same job but a succession of many jobs over the years, that's also what's kept me here."

Mr Starkey is one of a line of headteachers who clearly felt the same way.

He said: “Since 1930 there has only been four headteachers, which is remarkable. When I first came here in 1985 I was surprised at their longevity, 20 years, 22 years, but now I've outlived them all. Some of the staff who have recently left have been here more than 30 years, it does seem to be a place where people stay a long time, which might be a warning to the new headteacher.”

Mr Starkey has had to adapt to other staff leaving, as well as the changes to his job. He added: “People leave and you rebuild your team, I have been here longer than Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and I have probably built more teams than him.

“It is a drastically different job to when I started. In those days I managed the learning, now I manage a business. A school this size, with 560 pupils, may have about £2m being spent a year on different aspects.”

A quarter of a century of leading the school may be over, but Mr Starkey has ensured his legacy lives on through the construction of a new outdoor stage, which he made a substantial contribution to and was completed a few weeks ago.

He said: “It's an idea I had for some time. Children are able to use it in break and lunchtimes and for performances in summertime.”

The father-of-three plans to spend his retirement seeing more of his family, including six grandchildren, becoming a better guitarist, learning Mandarin, travelling and indulging in his astronomy hobby.

He added: “It really has been a great privilege to do this job.”