FIVE members of staff have bid farewell to Reid Street Primary School in Darlington.

Glyn Hickman, Barbara Mawer and Jean Henderson are all leaving teaching, while Helen Thorogood and Pamela Walker are going to other jobs.

Mrs Mawer, who is a year four teacher, left on Friday after 17 years at the school and 28 years in teaching.

She said: "I'm sorry to be going, I have enjoyed working with the children, but it's time to have a break and a change."

Mr Hickman, who is deputy headteacher, said that since he started working at the school 13 years ago there had been changes to the education system.

"I'm sorry to be going, but I have got a little bit fed up with all the changes that have taken place.

"The pressure of paperwork, SATs and other things and the pressure put on us to achieve exam results and keep improving every year, which is technically impossible, mean I'm ready to go and move on."

The third teacher who is retiring is Mrs Henderson, who has management responsibility for key stage one and teaches year two pupils.

She has also worked at Reid Street for 13 years.

Meanwhile, Miss Thorogood, who teaches year five and Mrs Walker who teaches year two, have both been there for three years.

Headteacher, Mrs Anne Ferguson, said that the retirements and resignations were a big loss to the school.

"They have all given a lot of commitment and dedication to the children and the children are going to miss them greatly. They are very valued and respected members of staff, who will be hard acts to follow."