A POPULAR Hillingdon headteacher is stepping down from her role after more than three decades this month.

Mrs Tuffey, headteacher at Lady Bankes Infant and Nursery School, is stepping down from her job at the end of December.

She started working there as a class teacher in 1983 and became headteacher in September 1997.

Mrs Tuffey has been an extremely popular head who has been respected and loved by children, families and staff.

She has been known for her passion for every child to succeed and her genuine care for the various members of the school community.

Families and staff have always known that her door has been open to anyone seeking a listening ear or reassuring advice. 

She has had an amazing ability to remember everyone’s names and make each individual feel valued and special.

Along with Mrs Dyer her deputy headteacher, (and more recently, co-head,) she has led the school through five successful OFSTED inspections, with the most recent of these, in July 2015, being outstanding.

Mrs Dyer will continue with this drive for excellence when she becomes the fulltime headteacher in January.

Mrs Tuffey is very well known in the area and she is looking forward to catching up with the school families when she is out and about enjoying her newly found ‘free time’ in the new year.

Everyone in the school community wishes her the greatest of happiness in the future.