Dedicated teacher Margaret Goodall is retiring after a 34 years.

Mrs Goodall leaves St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Devizes this week after 20 years as the deputy headteacher, but she will not be cutting her ties completely as she will continue as a supply teacher.

Mrs Goodall said: “I have worked past retirement age and felt it was time to retire but I am not saying au revoir to the school. I would be much more devastated if it was goodbye.”

She said she had loved her time at St Joseph’s, which she joined from Westbury Junior School.

“The children and parents at St Joseph’s are lovely. The children are always a pleasure to work with. You can come to school feeling sad but you go home feeling happy. It is just a privilege working with children as they are so full of life.

“I haven’t really aspired to be a headteacher, I just enjoyed teaching too much,” she said.

During her time at the school she has taught mainly the infant pupils but also year 5 children. She has been the literacy and religious education co-ordinator and led the parish’s first Holy Communion programme.

Mrs Goodall said: “I love teaching literacy. It’s the greatest gift you can give to a child, teaching them to read.”

She has received the rare honour of a papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI, a certificate presented to people who have given dedicated service to the Catholic church.

Mrs Goodall, who lives with her husband Peter, a retired civil servant, in North Bradley with their three cats, is looking forward to spending time in her garden and travelling when she is not teaching.

Sheila Jones, headteacher of St Joseph’s, said: “Margaret has always gone the extra mile for the children. She is a really terrific deputy who has brought love, dedication and commitment to all the children at the school and she is an outstanding teacher.

“The children love the fact that Margaret brings learning to life. We will miss her very much.”

Lynn Salter, an existing teacher at St Joseph’s, has been appointed deputy head to succeed Mrs Goodall.