CHILDREN from Sidemoor First School bid a heartfelt goodbye to long-serving deputy head Pat Cope who retired on Wednesday (July 20).
Mrs Cope has taught at the school for 31 years and was educating youngsters for four years prior to taking up her role at Sidemoor First in September 1985, when it was on its former site in Broad Street.
She became the deputy headteacher in 1991 having taught hundreds of children over the years and many of the parents who currently have children at the school were also taught by her.
Headteacher Mari Jones said Sidemoor was losing a valued member of staff who had given so much to the school and the children over the years.
Mrs Cope said “I have loved being part of the ‘Sidemoor family’ for so many years.
“It’s been a joy to teach children of former pupils and feel such a part of the community.”
