SCHOOL'S not just out for summer but out forever for two West Craven teachers.

Pat McIlroy, headteacher at St Joseph's R C Primary School in Barnoldswick and Mark Archer, maths teacher at Earby Springfield Community Primary School both completed their last day on Friday.

Mrs McIlroy has been at St Joseph's since 1987, and has been head for the last 10 years. She has seen a lot of changes throughout the years, including the move from old building to the new in 1994.

Bolton, born and bred, she graduated from St Mary's Teacher Training College in Fenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in 1965.

Her first teaching post was at Sacred Heart in Westhoughton and since then she has always lived and worked in the area.

Mrs McIlroy was treated to a dinner with governors, friends and colleagues on Wednesday night where she was presented with a steel headed Calloway driver golf club.

She told the Herald: "I have been very happy here and have received great support from governors, parents and the parish.

"I am very proud to be headteacher at St Joseph's with such talented, caring and thoughtful children. I will miss the school but look forward to retirement."

Mrs McIlroy looks forward to pursuing her love of golf, sailing and spending time with her grandchildren who live in Norfolk.

"She will be very sadly missed by all the staff and kids. She was a good role model and gave lots of help, support and guidance to her staff," said deputy head, Christine Flood who will be acting head at St Joseph's in the autumn.

Mark Archer has spent his entire teaching career at Earby, first at Alder Hill Junior School and then at Earby Springfield Community Primary School where he moved 12 years ago. Primarily a teacher of maths, he has been involved in all aspects of school life, particularly sport, music and residential excursions.

"I have enjoyed my time here, particularly the excursions which I regard as an important aspect of kid's education, to go out into the real world.

"I have mixed views however on the way education is going. Education is narrowing into maths, science and English, with the aesthetic subjects being sidelined.

"The Government has its own political agenda and is 'raising standards' to the detriment of music, art and all the things we hold dear. There is no time to do fun things in education anymore."

Mr Archer has no regrets but fond memories of pupils, colleagues and excursions, particularly a trip to London with 44 pupils.

He has also seen some special pupils pass through the years, including Glen Chapple, a cricketer for Lancashire.

Mr Archer is setting up his own business, having bought the franchise from a Japanese company to set up an after-school maths club in Burnley.

The Kumon Maths Group is a nationwide project that aims to improve the maths skills of four to 14 year olds by one to one attention and individual learning programmes. Mr Archer is used to decision making, after spending two years as acting head at the school and is looking forward to the new challenge.

Mr Archer enjoyed a party with former colleagues and friends at the Stone Trough in Earby and looks forward to spending more time with his family.