A TEACHER who grew up a stone’s throw from her school’s gates has said an emotional farewell after 30 years of service.

Assistant head Margaret March, 57, spent her last day at Thundersley’s Deanes School on Friday, three decades after she began work there.

The teacher said she had strong emotional ties to the secondary school.

She said: “I’m a truly local girl. The Deanes School was my playground as a young girl. Of course, that was before the school had even been built.

“It’s very emotional. I’ve been on the verge of bursting into tears all day.

“I’ve seen two generations of pupils pass through the school.

“It’s been amazing seeing people come back as parents. It shows what a close-knit community Thundersley is.”

Mrs March, who lives in Hullbridge, began as a maths teacher and also taught IT and personal and social education in her long career, which saw her take two extended breaks to raise her children.

As assistant headteacher, she has been responsible for a number of areas of school life, including putting together the timetable and working with some of the school’s most vulnerable children.

During a poignant final assembly on Friday, she said her final goodbyes to staff and pupils and was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

Headteacher Jan Atkinson said: “There’s been an overwhelming warm feeling towards her.

“She is very highly regarded by everyone.

“We’re all wondering what we will do without her, as she just did everything.”

Although retired, Mrs March said she intended to stay involved in education in some capacity.