LONG-SERVING head teacher of Eastington Primary School Malcolm Strang is retiring after 25 years hard work.

In a career in teaching spanning 37 years, he has taught at the school for a quarter of a century and overseen some monumental changes in his time as head.

After being in born in Gloucestershire, Mr Strang flirted with career as a semi-professional footballer, playing for both Swindon Town and Oxford United.

After a number of years in the game however, he decided to go into a career in education and took a job as a PE teacher in Portsmouth.

He later worked in London and as a deputy head at a school in Surrey before moving back to his roots to take over the role as head at Eastington.

“I firmly believe I made the right career choice,” said Mr Strang.

"It’s the most rewarding career you could ask for.

“I can honestly say teaching is the best job in the world. When I started at Eastington I only thought I’d stay a few years, but I absolutely fell in love with the place.

“There were always new challenges to face and new directions to take; it was always a changing job, which was why I enjoyed it so much.

“It has been a real privilege to teach here, and it goes without saying I’ll miss the school - and miss the children. And I want to thank the staff and governors for the support over the years."

During his time at the school, he has seen some huge changes in education and an investment of more than £1 million in the school’s facilities and buildings.

Teaching at the school for 25 years, Mr Strang has even seen pupils grow up and have kids of their own.

“That’s something I’ll really miss, the community here in Eastington is amazing. You couldn’t ask for a better place to put a Primary school.”

In September he will be replaced by new head teacher Zoe Avastu.

“I wish her all the best,” he said, “I know she has a lot of great ideas to bring to Eastington and she has a great relationship with the school already, so I’m sure there will be a very smooth transition.”