A HEADTEACHER is “proud” to be celebrating her 20th year in the role at a school in Burnham.

Geraldine Denham-Hale has been a headteacher at St Mary’s Church of England Primary School for 20 years.

Staff at the school surprised her with a celebration for the big occasion.

The school is also celebrating its 50th year on the site in Marsh Road in Burnham.

The headteacher took on the role just one year after moving to Burnham from north east London.

Mrs Denham-Hale said: “When I started here, never in a million years did I think I’d still be here now.

“I feel really proud to be the headteacher here. I’ve got great children, great staff and every year I look forward to continuing.

“My interview for this job was on Valentine’s Day and I think maybe it was a sign that this will be the other love of my life, aside from my husband.

“There’s a real family feel at the school, which is something I like.

“The people who work here often come back after they retire. It’s nice to see staff who like it and want to come back.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Headteacher: Mrs Denham-HaleHeadteacher: Mrs Denham-Hale (Image: St Mary's)

“We have quite a few staff here that were here when I started.

“Burnham has that strong sense of community and belonging.

“We're really lucky to have that here in Burnham.”

The school aims to get children involved in events in Burnham, including the art trail, Burnham Carnival and the remembrance service.

Mrs Denham-Hale said: “It’s important for the children to grow up with that sense of family. Hopefully I’ve achieved that.

“Some of my favourite memories have been when the children achieve something fantastic.

“When the Year Six leave, it's great seeing them excited and ready for the next stage.

“Every year is a highlight as seeing them leave, I feel we’ve done a good job.

“When I started here, little did I imagine I’d be at the school for this amount of time and it's because of the staff, children and families that I’ve worked with that has kept me going and makes the school what it is.

“It’s all of that that makes the school so successful.

“Thank you to all those people that make it such a great place to be.”