Bedlington teaching assistant retires after nearly four decades in the job

A popular teaching assistant who joined St Bede’s Catholic Primary School in Bedlington when she was just 18 is leaving after nearly four decades.
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Heather Ord joined the school, which is a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, in 1983. She has been there ever since – an impressive 39 years – making her the school’s longest-serving member of staff.

Mrs Ord spent time in both year one and reception classes, as well as the nursery, during her almost long career at the school.

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Having worked there for such a long period of time, she has seen two generations come and go through their doors, and witnessed the expansion of the school as a whole.

Heather Ord and right, when she started out as a teaching assistant nearly 40 years ago.Heather Ord and right, when she started out as a teaching assistant nearly 40 years ago.
Heather Ord and right, when she started out as a teaching assistant nearly 40 years ago.

Just eight or nine staff members worked at the Catholic school when she first joined, all residing in what she described as a ‘tiny’ staff room.

Mrs Ord said: “I was their youngest member of staff when I joined, and now I’m the oldest.

"It’s been my first and only job, and is all I’ve known.

"My dad said I’d never get the job when I applied, as I wasn’t Catholic, but I was the first non-Catholic person they employed, and I’ve been there ever since.

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“The first children I taught are in their forties now, and I’ve seen their children go through the school too.

“I get to know the children when they first start in nursery, so I see them for the longest.

"You almost become part of the family, you get to know them all so well."

With such a long career at the school, Mrs Ord’s retirement did not go unnoticed and she received many different gifts from her colleagues.

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School head teacher Therese Worrall said: “Mrs Ord received various gifts from the many people who she impacted throughout her time at St Bede’s.

“From the school staff she received a charm to add to a bracelet she was given when she had 25 years’ service, and also a voucher to visit Kew Gardens, as this has always been her dream."

To mark her retirement, Mrs Ord now plans to take an ‘out-of-term’ holiday, having always had to adhere to the school calendar.

For more information about St Bede’s Catholic Primary School, visit https://www.st-bedes.northumberland.sch.uk/