CRADLEY School will be saying farewell to its head when term ends next Thursday, April 14.

Rev Dawn Hyett is retiring after seven years in the post, bringing to an end a 37-year career in teaching.

"It's what I always want to do," she said. "I remember when I was six years old telling my parents that I would be a teacher when I grow up."

Rev Hyett, who comes from King's Thorne in Herefordshire, started her career in a middle school in Dudley, and before coming to Cradley was deputy head at a school in Ross.

Along the way she took a B.Sc degree and became an ordained minister - all in her spare time.

She said: "I've really enjoyed teaching, and Cradley has been the high point of my career. It's just been so rewarding to have taken the school where it has gone.

"And I couldn't wish to have worked with better staff than the ones at Cradley. They are an absolutely fantastic team.

Mrs Hyett said she is sure she will be busy in her retirement, but she has not decided exactly what with yet.

"There were no gap years in my day, so taking a gap year will be the first thing I will do," she said.