A PRIMARY school teacher in Pendle has left his office for the final time after 13 years. John Barker officially steps down as head of Marsden Primary School, Nelson, at the end of the month, but staff and pupils bade him a fond farewell yesterday as the school broke up for the summer holidays.

Mr Barker is moving to become head of a primary school in Hayes, Middlesex.

He came to Marsden, the biggest primary school in Pendle, from Kent and said he was looking forward to moving back down south, despite enjoying his time in East Lancashire.

Mr Barker was a member of the Burnley and Pendle Racial Equality Council and of the community group Building Bridges. His place at Marsden will be taken, on a temporary basis, by Janet Taylor, currently head at Higham Primary School, until the end of the year while governors at Marsden decide his permanent replacement.

Mrs Taylor's deputy Andrew Astbury, will take on her role at Higham until her return.

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