Morecambe teaching assistant who helped thousands of children retiring after 47 years

Eileen Hunter has decided to retire at Christmas and the school wanted to honour her amazing career and the impact she has had on thousands and thousands of children.

In Eileen’s 47 years she has seen school lunches change from being served in the church next door to a new kitchen and hall in the school.

Numerous classrooms have been added and the configurations within the school have changed.

Eileen has worked alongside six head teachers starting with Mr Gambit in 1947 to the current head, Mrs Cliff.

When Eileen started at the school, a computer had never been seen in school but as she leaves, the school has iPads in every classroom and even a computer suite with enough computers for a whole class to use!

Eileen originally moved to Morecambe from her hometown of Edinburgh with her husband Neil and two small children when she was 29-years-old.

The reason for moving to Morecambe was that they had enjoyed spending time here on holiday so thought it would be a lovely place to raise a family.

Eileen started doing supply work at West End Primary School, working at lunchtimes before getting a teaching assistant job in a junior class.

From there Eileen thrived, working in every year group over her 47 years.

She currently works with children to bridge some of the gaps in their learning and also supports the children in Year 3.

She loves to read with the children and said: “Teaching a child to read is the biggest joy of working in a school.”

Some of Eileen’s most memorable moments over the years include building an igloo on the school yard on one of the very rare snowy days Morecambe has seen, burying a time capsule under the

school to celebrate 100 years of West End Primary school and her days on lunchtime duty twining an enormous skipping rope for the whole school to enjoy are also highlights Eileen remembers fondly.

Eileen takes great joy in attending the amazing trips the school takes to Liverpool, Manchester, the Lake District and the locals area but her favourite has to be the annual trip the whole school takes to Blackpool to watch the Christmas Pantomime.

Watching the children’s faces illuminate as they become transfixed with the performances is a “privilege that she will always remember.”

She said: “I have absolutely loved working at West End Primary School!”

A spokesman for West End Primary School said: “From every member of staff and child that you have worked with over the last 47 years, thank you Mrs Hunter. You will be greatly missed at West

End Primary School!”