POPULAR headteacher Juliet Muir had quite the surprise on the last day of school – a tank escort.

Staff, parents and children waved her off as she left Bovington Primary School riding high on the tank as she started her retirement.

The tank ride was a final flourish in a special week of events. All the students got involved in a school picnic and a special assembly.

A statement on behalf of the school and the governors said: “The tank surprise came about because we have often used the Army to bring Santa on a tank at Christmas.

“Juliet has often commented that in the sixteen years she has been the headteacher, she has never been on a tank. Therefore, we liaised with the Army to see if something could be arranged to surprise her for her final drive out of the school grounds.

“We would like to thank all the staff of Bovington Army Camp for their support and help in making Juliet’s final farewell so memorable.”

It added: “Juliet plans to spend more time with her daughter and grandchildren who live in London. She would also like to make time for gardening, travelling and possibly even giving her time to help local schools.

“Everyone at Bovington Primary School would like to wish Juliet every happiness for her forthcoming retirement and hope that she can learn to make the most of a much deserved and well-earned rest.”

Mrs Muir has been a teacher and headteacher for more than 40 years, 16 of which were at Bovington. She has seen the school grow and is very proud to have three consecutive 'outstanding' gradings from Ofsted.

She qualified in 1974 and her first job was at Affpuddle School, before moving to Wool Primary School and then Wareham Middle School.

She then went to work in Jeddah Prep School in Saudi Arabia, before returning to Dorset and Milton Abbass School.

She became acting headteacher at a school in Salisbury in 1996, before moving to Thornford Primary School and she started at Bovington Primary School in 1999.