AN AWARD-winning veteran Haworth teacher is retiring after 35 years of improving children's fitness.

Sue Roberts, PE teacher at Haworth Primary School, steps down from her post today. (Thursday April 11)

She was born in Cumbria but has lived in Oxenhope for 30 years.

She trained at Leeds Carnegie College of PE and began working at Parkside, when it was a middle school, teaching PE along with maths and science. She was at Parkside for 16 years, then joined Haworth Primary in 2000.

Mrs Roberts, 56, said: "It's been wonderful. The children are absolutely fantastic and my colleagues have been amazing. I've made some lovely friendships."

A spokesman for Haworth Primary said: "Her impact here, over the last 18 years, has been nothing short of outstanding.

"As well as her normal duties as a PE teacher, Sue has arranged sporting events, such as archery and curling, for the Academy Trust.

"She’s organised clubs, residential visits, inter-house challenges, implemented the 1K A Day Challenge for all year groups and – probably the children’s favourite – the famous ‘Bunny Run’ which she organises every Easter and involves the children trying to catch a life size bunny!

"Sue has been instrumental in Haworth Primary being awarded ‘PE Centre Of Excellence’ for West Yorkshire.

"We were runners up in the first ever Bradford Sports Awards and have been awarded the Sainsbury’s School Games Mark year after year, which recognises those schools which develop competitive sport, both in lessons and in extra-curricular competitions.

"She also helps train future PE teachers with the Yorkshire Sport Foundation Programme."

Mrs Roberts' commitment to sport and physical education, was recognised by an invite to the House Of Lords for her part in implementing key parts of the Youth Sports Trusts Start To Move Programme.

And to cap off her career, she was named Bradford Primary Teacher of the Year, in the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Schools Awards in March.

The spokesman added: "Sue has dedicated some of her time at school to raising funds for charity.

"She encouraged a large group of staff to participate in the 5K Race For Life, has organised whole school sponsored walks for Manorlands and encouraged children to fill shoeboxes for the Samaritan Purse Operation Christmas Child Scheme.

"Sue will be hugely missed by staff and children when she retires, but she'll have definitely left a good legacy and many great memories for the children and adults of Haworth."

Mrs Roberts said she would be remaining very active after finishing at Haworth Primary.

She will be working part time for Bradford Council, teaching the bikeability scheme. She said she plans to travel to Australia and Nepal and take part in a cycling tour in Dordogne, southern France.