A much loved headteacher said farewell to pupils and colleagues as she retired after 16 years at a Dagenham school.

Sue Baskell celebrated her final day as head of Grafton Infant School, in Grafton Road, on March 31 – the last day of term before the Easter break.

Grafton Infant and Junior schools merged to become Grafton Primary and Martin Nicholson, previously head of the junior school, is now overseeing the whole school.

Grateful

Mr Nicholson said of Mrs Baskell: “We are very grateful for all the hard work she has put in to the school over the last 16 years. She was an incredibly supportive colleague, who was always ready to offer advice and was also great with the pupils. She will be missed.”

Mrs Baskell, of Chelmsford, told the Post: “I’ve had a wonderful 16 years at the school. The children have been fantastic and it’s been wonderful to see them grow up and achieve so much.

“I’ve also had brilliant staff over the years, two of whom have gone on to be headteachers themselves. I’ll miss the school a lot.”

Successful

The 61-year-old, who grew up in Seven Kings, said she fully backed the merger: “It makes sense that the two schools come together to become a primary school. I am sure it will be very successful.”

Before starting at Grafton, Mrs Baskell worked for some years as a deputy headteacher at Furze Infant School in Chadwell Heath and at a number of schools in Newham.

A retirement party was held at the school on March 29.