Teacher to retire after 29 years at Audley Junior School

Farouk Hussain, 52, started teaching as a week supply teacher at Audley Junior School in 1993, and went on to spend 29 years of his teaching career at the school.

Farouk, or Mr Hussain as he is known to his pupils, said that he is sad to be leaving but has very fond memories of his time with Audley Junior School, with many of his current pupils telling him that he taught their parents.

He said: "They really inspired me. I have seen a lot of headteachers come and go while I have been there.

"The community is really strong that has been built up there.

"Some of the children I am teaching now, their parents were in my class.

"They say to me 'my dad was in your class' or 'my mum was in your class'."

Farouk, whose wife is the headteacher of Blackburn Central High School, graduated from Edge Hill University in Ormskirk in 1992 before becoming a supply teacher for a few terms.

He taught at Mount Pleasant School in Clayton Le Moors and Spring Hill School in Accrington, each for about half a term before he was recommended to teach for a week at Audley Junior School.

After a number of staffing changes, Mr Hussain was given a permanent position at the end of the school year of 1993 where he has remained ever since.

The year four teacher added: "I'm proud really of the longevity of my career.

"A lot of people move on and I have always wanted to stay there because I love the children and the community.

"I will miss it massively, it is more than just a job for me, it is going to be so hard when I do go.

"I already get emotional talking about it now that people who have found out this week.

"People who I taught who are up and down the country and abroad teaching have told me that I inspired them to teach and that's very touching."

Farouk on the cricket pitch where he feels at home

As an avid cricketer, Farouk has also been very deeply involved in the community, setting up a free Chance to Shine cricket club at Audley Sport Centre, St Michael and St John School and Wensley Fold School which operates every Saturday.

The sessions have proved hugely popular with children at Audley Junior School and other schools across the community with 160 children attending weekly.

Since announcing his departure, he has had a number of old pupils contacting him to say that they still remember him teaching them.

A red Toyota MR2. Mr Hussain owned one of these and his pupils used to call him 'the teacher with the red Ferrari'. Photo credit: Niels de Wit / Flickr

He added: "Kids always know me as the teacher who had the red Ferrari - although it was a Toyota MR2.

"But people have contacted me about that saying 'remember when you had the red Ferrari' and they still call me Sir!

"It just makes me realise how much I meant to them and the strong connection I had with them when they were at school."

Farouk Hussain teaching cricket

He will finish at Audley Junior School at the end of the Easter term when he will retire from teaching.