'All heart, all soul' - Suffolk’s longest-standing headteacher celebrates 25 years

Suffolk’s longest-standing headteacher has celebrated 25 years of leadership at Nayland Primary School.

Raegan Delaney celebrated her silver jubilee at the school on Friday, with children taking part in a range of activities, the planting of a commemorative tree, and a colour run.

Miss Delaney said: “It doesn’t feel like 25 years because every day is something different. All the children bring something different. They make us laugh!

“I care about people – the grownups and the children. I think if you have not got that, you can read all the reports you want, but schools have to have heart and that’s what we have here.”

The 200 pupils of the school marked the occasion with a morning of pizza making, country dancing and planting a herb garden.

In the afternoon, Suffolk County Councillor James Finch joined the celebrations by planting a commemorative tree, before the children took part in a colour run around the school site.

Mr Finch, relaying comments from the Suffolk director of education, said: “Raegan is a strong head teacher with clear vision for the education of her pupils. She is fantastic with her children and staff here and her mentoring of other teachers in the area is brilliant.”

He added: “She is all heart and all soul.”

Parents, teachers, and friends of the school all helped in the celebrations.

Teresa Moriarty, chair of governors at the school, said: “We are really lucky to have had Miss Delaney as  head teacher for 25 years - that’s something of an achievement.

“When she came here to Nayland, it was a tiny village school. Today, we are a very well-renowned primary school with a reputation for providing the very best start for the children who come here.

“Raegan’s love and passion for the pupils and her staff is incredible and she is constantly striving to find new ways for children to learn.”