An Otley head teacher is stepping down from the job she loves after successfully bringing her school through the reorganisation.

Elizabeth Lister has been the headmistress at Westgate Primary School, on Scarborough Road, for the past nine years or so.

Tomorrow she will say goodbye to the school and town she loves to spend more time with her family and friends.

"We have worked very hard through the reorganisation and it has been tempting to stand on again," she told the Wharfedale Observer.

"I have loved it having the older children. We have made significant improvements to their education as well as socially.

"I am sorry to be leaving. I have got mixed feelings, but I really do think the time is now about right for me personally to leave.

"It is the right time for me, the right time for the school.

"We have successfully established a new primary school, we have had an excellent year with all our new primary school pupils.

"We have excellent staff team and it is a really good time for a new teacher to move the school forward."

Mrs Lister intends to carry out consultancy moderation work for Trinity and All Saints and local colleges supporting students on their school placements.

She is very pleased with the achievements she has seen during her time at the school.

"I think within this school the first major achievement for the school was the original refurbishment in 1996. It was a major project for the school," she said.

"Since then we have become a primary school and the work over the past two years has been a major achievement for all the staff and governors.

"I think been awarded Leeds Inclusive Charter Mark last year was a significant achievement."

The biggest thing she will miss is the children and the support she has received from the Otley community.

"I will miss seeing the children progressing through the school and the involvement I have had with the Otley community through my role as head teacher here.

"I have really enjoyed the community involvement with the Otley Community Play, the carnival and the work on the Chevin.

"I have really valued the support I have received from the parents, the community. They have really supported the school more than any where I have ever worked.

"I do not want to sever all my ties with Otley and it will be great to be a spectator at the carnival next year.

"It is a great place to work and no one leaves Westgate without giving it a great deal if thought first."

Mrs Lister started her teaching career in Surrey and had previously held the post of deputy head teacher at a school

in Cha-peltown.

Her first job will be to go on holiday to visit her family in America.