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TWO of the Didcot area's longest-serving teachers have retired.

They are Keith Eaton, head of South Moreton primary school for the last 30 years, and Sue Greatbanks, deputy head of Harwell primary school, who had been at the school 27 years.

When Mr Eaton, 61, started at South Moreton, the school had just two classrooms, a temporary classroom and 72 pupils. It has since doubled in size.

He said: "When I started, most of the parents worked for the Morris factory in Cowley and we used to lose half our pupils when the whole of Cowley works shut down for two weeks in July."

He said he had no special plans for retirement.

He said: "I have enjoyed my time here and have had very good support from parents, governors and teachers."

He is chairman of South Moreton Parish Council.

Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for schools improvement, said: "Heads such as Keith Eaton should be congratulated for making a real difference in their communities and to the children who grow up there."

Before going to Harwell school, Mrs Greatbanks was a teacher in Wantage and Hanney.

She was a supply teacher at Harwell before her full appointment and ended as the longest-serving member of staff.

A garden party at the school was held in her honour and she was presented with vouchers for garden furniture and jewellery, resulting from a collection among parents, staff, former pupils and colleagues.

Mrs Greatbanks said her plans for retirement were fluid, but included travel.

Her daughter Nichola gets married at Harwell church next month.

2:00pm Friday 25th July 2008

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