TWO top Prestwich teachers, covering the entire school age range, will trade in their timetables for a more relaxed way of life next week as they retire from the profession.

Youngsters and staff at Butterstile Primary School will say a fond farewell to popular acting deputy head teacher, Mrs Enid Martini, after 23 years at the school.

After joining as a class teacher, Mrs Martini was made acting deputy in April 2000 when her predecessor, Mrs Kathryn O'Doherty was promoted to head teacher.

A dedicated and popular member of staff, Mrs Martini (56) will be sorely missed by her colleagues and the pupils but she is looking forward to becoming a grandmother for the first time in September.

Head teacher Mrs O'Doherty said: "Mrs Martini intends to spend some time with her daughter, who lives in Italy, in time for when the baby arrives in September. I can't emphasise enough how much she will be missed. She is the most outstanding teacher I have ever seen and very popular with the parents, children and staff."

An early years specialist, Mrs Martini will officially retire on the last day of term next Thursday (July 18).

At the other end of the school age range, but not far away in distance, head teacher Mrs Margaret Booler will bid farewell to Prestwich Community High School.

At the age of 61 and after 40 years in the teaching profession, which included a break of seven years to bring up her two children, Mrs Booler decided she was just about ready to retire.

Mrs Booler started her career in 1962 as a teacher at Bury Grammar School before moving to Leicester.

She has taught in York and Rochdale before returning to the immediate area to continue her teaching at Stand Grammar School for Girls and Woodhey High.

After joining Prestwich Community High School as deputy head in 1987 and serving as acting head for two years, Mrs Booler took over the lead role in 1997 after her predecessor, Mr John Challands, retired due to illness.

Mrs Booler, a maths teacher, has seen the Heys Road school go through numerous changes over the years, including major building work and refurbishment, and its achievement has continued to impress her.

As reported earlier, the school recently announced it would apply for specialist status in the arts and plans are in place to raise £50,000 by March.

Mrs Booler said: "I am very pleased with the success of the school over the last few years and very proud of the young people. Our results were outstanding last year and we are proud of our school productions and community work. My career has been very satisfying and I have never regretted becoming a teacher. It is nice to finish my career in a position where I have been able to drive the school forward."

Mrs Booler, who lives in Ramsbottom, intends to spend her retirement with friends and family, joining her husband who took early retirement from his job as a university lecturer three years ago.

She will be replaced by Mr Geoff Barlow who joins the school in September from Siddall Moor School in Heywood where he is currently acting head.