CAPTAIN Hook, Peter Pan and a crew of lost boys and girls were among those bidding farewell to two long-serving school teachers this month.

Pupils at Polam Hall School in Darlington marked the retirement of the head and deputy head of the infant and junior school with a special performance of ‘Neverland’ in the school’s theatre.

Angela Foster, junior head, has taught at the school for 40 years and has spent 18 years in her current role.

Retiring alongside her is Wilma Campbell, deputy head of juniors who has taught science, religious studies and maths in the junior school for the last 13 years.

Prior to this she was head of PE in the senior school for 12 years.

The performance of Neverland was the 38th show Mrs Foster had a hand in organising and she said she would miss the children, the camaraderie of the staff and the friends she has made at Polam Hall.

She added: “I think it is the family atmosphere of the school that has kept me here so long and it’s been a really special place to work.”

Mrs Campbell said: “Because Polam Hall is an all-through education school, meaning children can start at aged four and leave at age 18, it’s been really nice to see the children continue to flourish and then leave having had the best possible start.

“We’ve both worked here so long that we’re now seeing former pupils bring their own children to the school.”

Headmaster John Moreland praised the teachers’ “exceptional” service to the school said they would be hugely missed by pupils and colleagues alike.