A TEACHING assistant has retired from Glusburn Community Primary School after 21 years.

Kath Cain, an advanced teaching assistant, spent the entire time at the school in the Early Years Foundation Stage unit.

In his speech to staff and pupils during Kath’s retirement ceremony, school head Richard Hunt described her as a kind-hearted and compassionate person.

He said: “You personify warmth and generosity, wrapped up in a gentle delicate bundle, which you open each day to support the children and staff of our school.

“The start our children and parents receive is vitally important – creating a welcoming atmosphere, a nurturing environment and a supportive setting; you have been absolutely central to ensuring these conditions have been in place; astonishingly you have done this for over 20 years.

“That is a vast number of parents and children, who indeed have then gone on to send their children to our school on that basis, knowing they are to be cared for by the most wonderful lady.”

Mr Hunt said that among those children supported and cared for by Kath was his own daughter Lois, who now attends South Craven School.

He added: “Lois had a marvellous time and always wanted to come to school – echoing how many children feel about you, knowing they were going to be well-looked after consistently day-after-day.”

Mr Hunt said Kath’s work had made a huge difference to the lives of hundreds of pupils during a time in Glusburn.