Staff past and present gathered at Harlescott Junior School this week to celebrate the retirement of long-serving Headteacher Lisa Twidale.

Lisa is retiring after 30 years at the school. She started her teaching career at Harlescott Junior fresh from teacher training, and was recognised early on as a natural leader by her predecessors. Lisa was quickly promoted and joined the senior leadership team early on in her teaching career, before becoming head of school in 2017 when the school became a federation. In 2024 Harlescott Junior School joined the Severn Bridges Multi Academy Trust and Lisa became Headteacher.

Joining in the celebrations were the three previous headteachers; Mr Geoff Corfield, Mr Martyn Lightwood and Miss Steph Peters., a powerful tribute to the enduring spirit of the school. It was an evening of reunion, reflection and celebration where friends and colleagues shared stories, laughter and the joy of being part of something very special.

CEO Andrew Morris was at the event to thank Lisa for her hard work and commitment to the school: “I was teaching at Harlescott Junior School when Lisa joined as a newly qualified teacher, so I feel very privileged to be here at the end of her long and successful teaching career. She has made such a difference to this unique and special school over the years.”