East Riding is to celebrate teaching staff on national Thank a Teacher Day, Wednesday 17 June.
Children, parents and colleagues are encouraged to celebrate the work of teaching staff and the vital role they play in shaping young lives through education.
Three of East Riding’s Headteachers, who have a combined total of 91 years in education are retiring this summer and this Thank a Teacher Day we want to say thank you for all they’ve done for children.
Michelle Bell, North Frodingham & Beeford Primary Schools in Driffield, Liz Fieldhouse, Bacon Garth Primary School in Cottingham, and Paul Rowe, Paull Primary School, reflect on their careers and what they look forward to in their retirement.
Michelle Bell, Beeford CE (VC) Primary School and North Frodingham Primary School, in Driffield, has been in education for 34 years. She began as a teacher in Scunthorpe where she worked for a year before joining Driffield Infants in1993. She spent 18 years at Driffield Infants, taking on roles including year group leader, deputy head and acting head. Michelle became the Headteacher at Beeford Primary School 15 years ago, as well as being Head at North Frodingham for 13 of those years.
She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed school as a child, and I wanted to pass that down to other children. I am passionate about children enjoying their school life and that their experience helps them develop into well-rounded people. Whilst the academic side of school is important, it is also important that children understand values like being kind, and that they are ready for the world ahead.
“The highlights for me are when you see children inspired, and a lesson that ignites something in them. Seeing the children smile, enjoy and engage in what they are doing is what it’s all about. I’ve also enjoyed supporting newly qualified teachers and teaching assistants through their journeys, and our school team really feels like a family.
Her advice to others is to “enjoy it and be present with the children in the classroom. There are lots of pressures, so it’s important to get the work-life balance right too.”
Michelle’s children have followed in her footsteps, with one being a lecturer and another beginning teacher training this year. As she retires this summer, Michelle said: “I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and my husband. I’m looking forward to not making so many decisions each day, but I will really miss the children, colleagues, governors, and parents.”
Liz Fieldhouse, Bacon Garth Primary School in Cottingham trained to be a teacher at age 40, after enjoying spending time as a teaching assistant at the school her children attended. She joined Bacon Garth Primary as a newly qualified teacher in 2003 and became the assistant head four years later, and the Headteacher in 2019.
Liz said: “I completely fell in love with teaching and there hasn’t been a day I didn’t want to come into work. It is the best job in the world! Actually, it’s more than a job, it’s a lifestyle.
“I’ve had so many highlights, but my favourite days have been special event days where the whole school celebrates. Days like the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, VE Day, the Olympics and historic enactments that bring history to life within an immersive environment. I’ve travelled all over Yorkshire collecting things for our various displays. Year 6 residential is always great too.
In retirement, Liz said: “I’m looking forward to spending more time reading, sewing, travelling in my motor home, spending time with my young grandson and going to more 1940s reenactments. However, I will really miss the children and families. Teaching has transformed my life.”
Paul Rowe, Paull Primary School began his career in 1992, in a small village primary where he enjoyed success including taking the school’s tag-rugby team to be part of the Queen’s celebrations in 2000 and being a leading maths teacher for the local authority. Paul moved to the East Riding and joined Paull Primary School as the Headteacher in 2010.
Paul said: “There is no better job than actually learning alongside children. There are fantastic moments in my career, but nothing takes away the love for the actual teaching part. In all the years at Paull, there has never been a day where I have questioned or pondered at the door of going in to ‘work’ and seeing the children walk in. I feel privileged to stand alongside the children every day and together we are a unique little village school with a huge sense of community and pride.
“My journey wasn’t what I originally expected – as I’d initially set my mind on going into the police or the army. But after getting a degree I went into teacher training and I’ve never looked back.
“A highlight would be the feedback from Ofsted in June 2025 were the Inspector shared comments made by children, staff and parents. With so much support for the school, it truly showed that with a phenomenal family of staff and governors we can provide a memorable learning environment for our children. Our school has recently been given extra land where we are further developing our Forest Schools and we do literally continue to grow and grow. The ethos, harmony and positive wellbeing that Forest Schools has bought to the school is beyond words. Seeing the children exploring the great outdoors every day is remarkable and watching the EYFS put on their puddle suits and wellies gives me so much joy.”
Paul’s advice to others considering teaching is: “Go into the profession if you can commit to teaching children and have fun in the process. Don’t go into it half-heartedly but go in with the want to make a difference. Smile and laugh with the children and staff. If you want to make a difference to young people’s lives, then teaching can be a fantastic route.”
In retirement Paul plans to play more hockey and revive his love of walking and explore the countryside a little more.
Thank you also to Laura Wallis, Headteacher at St Mary’s Primary in Beverley, Georgina Lawson, Headteacher at Wawne Primary School and Dawn Joy, Headteacher at Cherry Burton Primary School who will be moving on to new roles.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, said: "Thank a Teacher Day provides a great opportunity to say thank you to all of our dedicated teachers for their commitment to nurturing and educating pupils.
“Thank you to our Headteachers, who have made such a difference to the lives and futures of children. It is also lovely to hear how working in education has transformed their lives.”
Top left: Exterior Beeford Primary School
Top right: Liz Fieldhouse, Bacon Garth Primary School
Bottom left: Michelle Bell, Beeford CE (VC) Primary School and North Frodingham Primary School
Bottom right: Paul Rowe and his daughter, Paull Primary School
