A HEADTEACHER and mother-of-seven is set to retire after more than four decades in teaching.

Celia Holder, 63, who lives at Whitehaven, will leave her current role leading a West Cumbrian school at the end of the summer term.

Mrs Holder has held headteacher positions for about 30 years - and has worked at Valley Primary School and Nursery in Whitehaven and Hensingham Primary School.

Her current role is at Workington's St Gregory's School, where she joined nine years ago.

She said: "The children in St Gregory's are wonderful and I'm delighted to have worked with all the children in all my schools.

"I will miss it. Every job is different. It's about responsibility and it's a bit like having another family because you're there to care for them.

"I like being a head, the crack and the variety. There are no two days the same.

"I've got fond memories of all the schools I've been at."

She has also worked at Kirkby Thore Primary School near Penrith, Newtown Community Primary School in Carlisle and as a local authority advisor in Cumbria, Rochdale and Liverpool.

She has plans to go travelling and will spend more time with her five grandchildren.

She added: "I will miss the children, the crack and the challenge.

"It was a very difficult decision. It feels like the end, but an end is a new beginning."