STAFF past and present and a school full of pupils came together to celebrate the service of one of the country's longest serving headteachers as he retired following 20 years.

Ian Rimmer, from Eccleston, has been a teacher for 32 years and 20 years of that time were spent as headteacher at Nutgrove Methodist Primary School.

In his time leading the school, it has received an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report; an ‘Outstanding’ SIAMS Church School report; become the founding school of The Wesley Multi-Academy Trust and been a driving force behind the creation of Nutgrove Community Centre.

On Tuesday, July 16, a celebration assembly including speeches, gifts, prayers and songs were held in his honour.

An award given to a student who has worked hard or overcome difficulty has also been established in his name which will be awarded annually.

Ian, 55, said: “It is so amazing to me today to have so many people come together to celebrate the great work we have achieved here at Nutgrove, which is the oldest methodist school in the country as well as myself who has been the head since 1999.

“It’s a nice way to say goodbye to the school and celebrate the times we’ve shared.

“I started in teaching to make a real and lasting difference to future generations of our town, I’m a St Helens lad, and I felt serving and doing God’s work here was what I was meant to do.

“Our school motto is ‘My Best, Always, Everywhere’ and I have really tried to instil that in our students. There has been challenges along the way, as there is with everything, but together we work to teach the children how to reach their full potential and that’s what is important.

“It has truly been an honour to work in this school and I will miss it dearly, but this next stage of my life is to spend time with my wife Ali.

“I loved working here, in fact I only took two days off my entire time here, and one of those times was due to needing an operation on my eye.

“I would encourage teaching to anyone if it brings you joy, you can make such a difference in someone’s life and Nutgrove is up there with the best of schools.

“I leave the school with a feeling of such pride.”

Steve Myers, chairman of governors at the school, added: “He has given his complete commitment to Nutgrove for more than twenty years and has always sought the best for the children in our care.

“For that he has our deepest gratitude and I am confident that the hundreds of children and their families whose lives and prospects he has improved during his time at Nutgrove feel the same.”