A school paid an emotional farewell to its headteacher after 20 years at the helm.
St Bernard's RC Primary School in Ladybridge said goodbye to Clare Doodson on Friday, July 19.
Mrs Doodson had been at the school for 32 years, spending 20 of those as its headteacher.
Teachers, parents and children were blessed with the sun as they gathered on the last day of term to see her off.
Children performed a heartwarming rendition of Elton John hit "Your Song", retitled "Our Song" and with lyrics tailored to the school as presents, hugs and best wishes were showered upon Mrs Doodson.
After the song finished, she said to the adoring crowd: "You are family, that is all I'll say. Be blessed and thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Parents and teachers at the school could not say enough positive words about the head.
Mum Fiona Brown said: "She is going to be absolutely missed. A lot of us have moved our children because they love the environment.
"There is not enough they can do for you, she won't question it."
Parent Emma Jackson said: "Nothing is too much. You can just tell she cares about each person.
"I was up until 9.30pm last night making a banner saying 'We love you Mrs Doodson'. She is just so involved with the kids."
Fiona Wright, whose grandson is currently at St Bernard's, also sent her daughter there.
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She said: "All of our family has been here. She was my daughter's headteacher and she is just such a fabulous energy.
"You can see parents, grandparents, she just cares about everybody.
"She is the best ever headteacher. She is such a loss, but they will be fine because she has built up a brilliant school."
Deputy head Joanna Grant said: "She is irreplaceable, unique, and she is the heart and soul of this school."
Mrs Doodson said: "I feel fantastic, I have had a wonderful career.
"I have been blessed with a wonderful team of staff around me and colleagues from other schools.
"It has just been great. Once I became a more experienced head I was able to give something back to others, it has been just the best experience.
"It is just time for a change and time for the school to have a change too."
She is taking an early retirement, and will "continue to work part time" but not as a headteacher.
Speaking about the presentation, she said: "I did not expect that. The staff have done very well to keep that from me, because normally I know everything that is going on.
"I reached a point where I thought it was important to go with the flow. It is lovely when people, the staff and children, want to do that for you.
"Mrs Grant will be the acting head for the autumn term and then Mrs Taylor will be starting as the head in January.
"They will do a great job, the heart of St Bernard's will achieve. We have wonderful staff and families."
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