A PRIMARY school office manager is celebrating 25 years of service.

Angela Clarke joined Westleigh Methodist Primary School as a lunchtime supervisor in January 1994 when her son was in his second year there.

She has been promoted several times over the years and pupils, staff and trustees surprised her with a special surprise assembly to mark Mrs Clarke's silver anniversary at the school.

Mrs Clarke said: “I was told that I had to go into the school hall to look at an issue, but as I walked in there was a huge cheer.

"I looked around and couldn’t work out what was happening. Then, when I saw the cards and balloons, it all clicked.

“The last 25 years have felt like 25 minutes.

"I have loved working at this school and I have celebrated so many important events with the staff and pupils.

“We have watched sporting events from Euro 96 to the World Cup in Russia last year.

"There was a street party for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, and then another when William and Kate got married in 2011.

"I have seen mock elections for everything from when Tony Blair was elected in 1997 to when the vote about the European Union was held.”

Mrs Clarke has worked for five head teachers in her time at the Westleigh Lane school.

Mrs Clarke added: “There have been some tremendous highs and lows.

"The saddest bit was when we had a fire at the school early last year, which meant that our older pupils’ exam preparations were thrown into disarray.

“Yet, on the other hand, one of the highlights was becoming an academy.

"Since we have been part of the Acorn Trust things have just got better and better.

"More people are now sending their children here.

"Our results last year were amongst the very best in the authority and there is so much happiness.”

Acorn Trust CEO Julie-ann Hewitt has praised Angela's contribution to the school.

She said: “Strong schools need people like Angela on their staff.

"She knows the school inside out - our staff and children love her.

“In fact, just the other day, one of the first pupils she supported contacted us as she wanted to let Mrs Clarke know she had graduated from university.

"She really has made a difference to the lives of our children.”