East Yorkshire cook celebrates 50 years of school dinners – and has no plans to hang up her overall

School cook Debbie Stringer, who has celebrated 50 years working at Pocklington School, with Paul Freeman-Hacker, head of hospitality and catering
-Credit: (Image: Pocklington School)


It was a golden moment for school cook Debbie Stringer when she celebrated 50 years working at Pocklington School.

Debbie’s dedication and enthusiasm remain as strong as ever as she continues to work full-time, with no immediate plans to retire. Staff at Pocklington School recently marked her extraordinary milestone with a drinks reception and afternoon tea in the dining hall on Wednesday, September 11 - exactly 50 years to the day since Debbie started working at the school aged 16 in 1974.

During her long service, Debbie has seen off six headmasters; witnessed the introduction of girls; the introduction of Prep School, Pre-Prep School and numerous new buildings; the redesign of the dining hall and many other changes – all of which she has taken in her stride. Based on 180 days in school and averaging the number of pupils across the 50 years, it is estimated that Debbie has been involved in over a 1.5 million breakfasts and teas and over four million lunches.

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Debbie said: "I was still a student myself when I first began working part-time on the tea shift at Dolman House. Back then, Dolman had its own kitchen and dining room, and the boarders took all their meals in the house.

“In 1974, upon leaving school at the age of 16, I began my full-time role as a cook. I started at School House. I was one of four cooks catering for around 250 boarders, and it was an all-boys school back then.

Debbie Stringer (centre back row) and catering staff at Pocklington School in 1987
Debbie Stringer (centre back row) and catering staff at Pocklington School in 1987 -Credit:Pocklington School

“Initially, it was a bit daunting. I was quite shy and nervous, and it was a very male-dominated environment, but I quickly adapted." Throughout the years, Debbie has witnessed and adapted to myriad changes.

She said: "When I first started, grace was recited before meals, and each table had a designated server who would collect the food from the counter and serve it to everyone at their table. There was a washing-up rota for the boys, and those who had misbehaved were assigned extra chores such as wiping down all the tables. Despite the formalities and rules, we shared plenty of laughs with the boys; they were friendly and enjoyable to be around.

“I recall them coming back to the counter, pleading, 'Please sir, can I have some more.' Some were homesick, so we tried to look out for them."

Aiming to continue in a job she has loved for half a century, Debbie said: “I genuinely enjoy my work and the creative opportunities it offers. I particularly relish making desserts and cakes.

Debbie Stringer has no plans to retire after working at Pocklington School for half a century
Debbie Stringer has no plans to retire after working at Pocklington School for half a century -Credit:Pocklington School

“Outside of school, I also craft special occasion cakes. I've created cakes for some of the headmasters, such as christening cakes; I made a millennium cake and cakes for school balls. The creative aspect of the job, along with a few other factors, has kept me here all these years.

"For instance, when I first started, the school sponsored me to attend college to obtain my City & Guilds qualification in catering. The job fit well around my family life, and the long holidays were a fantastic perk.”

Toby Seth, Pocklington School headmaster, said: “This is an astonishing achievement. Nobody else on the current staff body comes close to matching Debbie’s herculean effort, and she’s still going!

“She approaches every day with professionalism, good grace and good humour and we are indebted to her for her exceptional service and wish her many more continued happy days here at Pocklington School.” Despite having the option to retire, Debbie has no immediate plans to end her tenure.

She said: "I will continue working full-time for now, but I’m contemplating gradually reducing my hours to part-time. This would allow me more time to focus on making occasion cakes again in my spare time."