WEAVERHAM High School has said a fond farewell to a teacher who has spent his entire career at the school.

The school held a special assembly to enable staff and pupils to say farewell to Philip Sims, 44 years after he joined the school as a teacher.

His leaving gift was a lawnmower, and he had a whole school presentation in an assembly, followed by a presentation with staff at the end of school.

The design and technology teacher joined Weaverham County Secondary School in 1972, when the raising of the school leaving age meant the school was taking on additional teachers to cope with the increased number of pupils.

At that time Harry Christian was the headmaster of the school.

Head teacher David Charlton said “It is very unlikely there will ever be another teacher who spends their entire career at Weaverham High School.

“Mr Sims has been so much a part of life at Weaverham for so long, it is hard to imagine the school without him.

“Many of our pupils today remember him not only because he has taught them but because he has also taught their parents, and in several cases their grandparents. The school will miss his presence immensely.”

At the assembly pupils presented a review of the 44 years Mr Sims has spent at the school, and spoke of the changes in the school and life in general over that time.

During his 44 years at the school Mr Sims, who lives in Rudheath, has seen many changes at the school.

He has worked for four head teachers, and was teaching at the school in 1978 when it changed from being a secondary modern school into Weaverham High School, a comprehensive school.

In 1997 he was part of the technology faculty when the school became a Specialist Technology College, and was teaching in 2008 when the school gained Leadership Partnership School status.

Originally employed in 1972 as a handicraft teacher, Mr Sims has taught a variety of subjects as the curriculum has changed.

As well as teaching the traditional woodwork and metalwork, he has also taught CDT and design and technology.

In addition he has taught vocational courses including motor vehicle maintenance, and more recently City and Guilds and manufacturing courses.