A WARRINGTON head teacher has expressed her ‘unending love’ for her school in a heartfelt farewell message to parents as she announces her departure after 25 years.

Helen Lennon was once a pupil at St Oswald’s Primary School, in Padgate, which she then went on to proudly lead for more than two decades.

In a departing letter sent out to parents, the head teacher described what a ‘big part of my life’ the Padgate Lane school has been to her.

Ms Lennon said: “I write to you for the final time as Head Teacher of St Oswald's as I close down the academic year 2024/2025.

“It is with a heavy heart that I step out of the school today as it has been such a big part of my life since attending the school as a child from the age of five years to returning to serve the school as head teacher for the last 25 years.”

The well-respected head spoke of her earlier career spent teaching in various areas around the country including London, Wigan, Salford and Cheshire.

Before she returned to her childhood school as deputy head teacher in 1997.

She took on her current title as head teacher back in 1999.

“I knew I was in the best place. A special place, the most wonderful parish school I had ever experienced, with amazing children, families, staff and parishioners,” Ms Lennon continued.

“It was for this reason I knew there was no other place I would have rather worked than St Oswald's and this wonderful place has kept me rooted here for 25 years.”

She spoke of the ‘absolute privilege’ of serving the children and families at the school, as well as the staff which she has been ‘truly blessed to work with’.

Going on to speak in detail about the work the staff members at the primary school do, she added: “The staff I have been so truly blessed to work with over the years have been amazing, hardworking, talented professionals and totally committed to help with my mission to provide excellence in education.

“I leave my current staff team with such respect and admiration for the excellent work that they do, day in day out, for our children.

“A parent wrote recently and referred to the school staff as 'Angels' which I thought was so true, forever there working hard to make things happen. I really have been blessed to have worked with them all, constantly (often in the background) working their magic.”

Ms Lennon then went on to thank the ‘wonderful’ parents, carers and grandparents at the school for their ‘amazing’ support, noting that the school would not be what it is today without them.

As well as extending her gratitude to the governors that help the school perform to its ‘highest standards’.

Concluding the letter, the head teacher said: “To finish I have saved the biggest and best vote of thanks for our amazing children.

“The children of St Oswald's have always been outstanding, and I thank them all past and present for being so lovely, joyous and an absolute pleasure to work with.

“They are all part of our school family, and the strong connections always remains as they journey on from us. I am so proud of them all.

“My own connection will always remain strong with St Oswald's School family in a different way after today, but I know for certain I will always be connected.

“I will always want the very best for the school - my heart and unending love for the school will always be with St Oswald’s.”