A teacher who is now educating the children of parents she originally taught has retired after more than 40 years in the profession.

Karen Richards, from St Keverne, has been a teacher for 44 years - and at Garras School, near Mawgan, for the last 32 of them.

On Saturday a surprise party was held in her honour, attended by past and present teachers, parents and staff.

Still looking shocked, Karen said: “I don’t know what to say exactly, except thank you. It’s been wonderful working with you and a privilege teaching your children.

“All I can say to you children is to work hard, be kind, and you’ll be a credit to your parents.”

On her arrival at the party children from Garras began singing Cornwall My Home, which they had learned especially for the occasion, with guests also joining in.

This was followed by a buffet prepared by the Friends of Garras School (FROGS) parent-teacher association.

Karen said that during her time at Garras she had worked with seven headteachers and six school secretaries, as well as many wonderful teachers and teaching assistants.

Current head of school, James Sturges, told her: “On behalf of everyone, past and present, thank you for the education, fun and friendship you have provided us.”

He told a story of how, earlier in her teaching career at Garras, Karen’s farming experience came in handy when a herd of cows escaped from a nearby field and onto the main road, causing drivers to screech to a halt.

Undeterred, Karen grabbed a year six boy who also lived on a farm and together they ushered the cows into the school playground ready for collection by the farmer.

On Saturday Karen was presented with leaving gifts including a brooch made from Cornish tin, in the form of an owl – Garras School’s emblem.

Karen with her owl brooch made from Cornish tin (Image: Helston Packet)

She was also given a voucher for a helicopter ride to the Isles of Scilly.

During her teaching career, which began at Indian Queens and has also included supply work in schools across the Lizard Peninsula, Karen has taught pupils from reception age right through year six.

Karen told the Packet: “The children I’m teaching now are the children of pupils that I taught first of all, which is real privilege.

“We’ve had good times and we’ve been through tough times – at one stage I was the only full time teacher at the school. That’s when we started Owlets Pre-school and that has helped the school grow and grow.”

One thing that has been important to Karen, and Garras School, is championing the children’s Cornish heritage – with the school recently starting to teach the Cornish language.

Looking back at her career, Karen said: “I have wonderful memories.”