A CHARD School has waved goodbye to one of its longest serving members of staff.

Sandra Jones has worked in the Manor Court School office for the last 27 years.

She retired from her post as business manager last Friday.

And she was given a surprise afternoon tea and was joined by family and lots of past colleagues on the day, including four of the headteachers she has worked alongside during her time in Chard.

One of these, David Flowers, gave an emotional and humorous speech of his time working alongside Sandra.

Mrs Jones has seen many changes over the years - the move from collecting everything on paper and the dreaded filing, to making a cup of tea after turning on her first computer and waiting an hour for it to start up.

Now everything is completed at the touch of a button. There is a new intake of 60 pupils every year at Manor Court, with the school working out that Mrs Jones could have possibly sold 1,620 school jumpers in her time.

Geraldine Terry, of Manor Court School, said: “Everyone at Manor Court wishes her a happy retirement and a well earned rest.”

Manor Court School returns for the summer term on April 18.

For more information on Manor Court School, visit www.manorcourt.somerset.sch.uk or call 01460 62350.