A LONG-SERVING head teacher has stood down after 19 years in the job. Maynard Dunlop, 57, has left his post as head of Melbourn Primary School to work part-time and to pursue leisure interests including cycling, walking, and playing the guitar. Of his dec

A LONG-SERVING head teacher has stood down after 19 years in the job.

Maynard Dunlop, 57, has left his post as head of Melbourn Primary School to work part-time and to pursue leisure interests including cycling, walking, and playing the guitar.

Of his decision to step down, Mr Dunlop said: "I feel it is the right time for the school and the right time for me.

"We had a good Ofsted report 18 months ago and I feel it is the right time for a new head to come in and pick up something in good condition and make it even better."

Mr Dunlop, who is originally from Wembley, said that there had been many changes at the school over the past 19 years and that he leaves with many "wonderful memories".

"Some of the children I taught are parents here now, and many have gone on to success after school and university," he said.

"A number of my staff have also moved on and got headships. That has been satisfying.

"I will miss the children and their positive outlook on life the most, but I won't miss the paperwork and bureaucracy.

"I am going out happy, everything is positive."

And when asked what his proudest achievement was at the school, Mr Dunlop said: "In this job you take pleasure from so many things.

"It is a continuous collection of wonderful memories, no one thing stands out."

Mr Dunlop taught at Halifax Primary School in Ipswich, before becoming head at Melbourn .

And he will now take on a part-time role as an "educational consultant" for both Cambridgeshire County Council and Norfolk County Council, supporting schools that want to improve.

Mr Dunlop will be replaced as head by Jacqueline Bell-Cook, who has taught in Jersey and Hong Kong.

AFTER more than six years at the helm of Guilden Morden Primary School, head teacher Sue Arnold has retired.

She said: "There have been so many highlights during my time here.

"And I've very much enjoyed seeing so many pupils achieve success."

After a teaching career spanning 39 years, she is looking to keep her options open in retirement.

"I've got plenty of hobbies so it will be nice to be able to keep up with those, but I'll also wait and see what other opportunities arise," she said.

And it is unlikely that those at Guilden Morden School have seen the last of their much- loved head teacher.

"I'll be coming back to visit in the not too distant future, as and when I'm invited, of course.

"I'll miss the children and the staff, it's been a fantastic six years," she said.