AFTER almost 50 years of working in a Wimborne school, a popular teaching assistant is taking her well-earned retirement.

Ray Coleman has worked at Dumpton School for 46 years, starting as a junior matron when she left school as a teenager.

Miss Coleman, who lives in Blandford, said she will be sad to leave the school.

“I have loved my time here, and I feel very sad to leave,” she said.

“I think Thursday was the saddest day, because I said goodbye to all of the little children and they sang to me, so that was very lovely and moving.”

Miss Coleman began working as a matron in 1967 when the school was still at the Gaunts House site, later becoming a teacher in the nursery and then a teaching assistant in the pre-prep.

She said: “I'll be spending my retirement gardening and socialising, and I belong to the hunt.

“There will be lots for me to do, but I have always loved being at Dumpton, and it will be a big change.”

Head Andrew Browning said it was the “end of an era” to see her go.

“Ray's loyalty and commitment to Dumpton have been much appreciated by generations of pupils and staff and we will all miss her good humour and wonderful generosity of spirit,” he said.

“We wish her all the best for the coming years.”