ONE of the region's best known teachers is stepping down after three decades in nursery education.

After more than 30 years of working in Kendal, head teacher of Kendal Nursery School, Veronica Broyd, is retiring, poised and ready to spend more time outdoors, swapping her school shoes for her walking boots.

Veronica arrived on the Kendal educational scene in 1982. She worked at both Castle Park School and Kendal Nursery, from where she was seconded to Cumbria County Council’s advisory service as an advisory teacher for early years’ education. She was appointed acting head teacher of Brantfield in 2004 at a tough time when the highly regarded nursery was at risk of closure.

MORE TOP STORIES:

However, Mrs Broyd was determined that it was not going to close it doors and battled on. She said at the time that she could not let an amazing nursery like Brantfield, which is such an asset for the community, be closed: “So I took up the fight.”

Chairman of governors Vivien Kincey said that Mrs Broyd succeeded in her mission and, during her years at the helm, the Kendal nursery has flourished and grown in size, scope and educational achievement as well as providing a wonderful experience of learning, especially in the garden, for countless children. "The developments have included a thriving year round day nursery which meets the needs of two year olds,” explained Mrs Kincey. “A lively lunch club; and a toddler group as well as two classrooms offering three and four year olds their free nursery entitlement.

“These achievements have been recognised and validated by Ofsted who have twice judged the school to be ‘Outstanding in all areas.’

Fellow governor (vice-chairman) Hilary Peatfield added: “She leaves with best wishes and sincere thanks for her strong leadership, hard work, and enthusiasm during her years as headteacher, from the very grateful team she leaves behind at Brantfield.”

Progress has been driven by Mrs Broyd's passion for ensuring children have the best possible start in education so that they in turn develop a passion for life-long learning. To back that up, she has created strong and coherent team work between parents, staff and governors. Using the nursery as a centre of excellence she has also been at the forefront of new developments in the field of education, particularly the Early Years Hub which has linked nurseries throughout Cumbria and north Lancashire together to share and develop practice.

Mrs Broyd's enthusiasm for new ideas in early education has been demonstrated through her emphasis on the outdoors to enhance children’s learning and she can often be found with the children in the garden, playing in the mud kitchen, on the beach or sailing on the school boat.

She said that over many years she had been privileged to work with "very many fantastic children and families, getting to know them and their children so well and see them thrive and develop."

She added: "I've loved watching them grow and progress, and with children who are now grown and hearing about the many amazing things they have done. This always confirms for me what a special place Brantfield Nursery is and what a wonderful start to children’s lives we provide.

"I will miss the children, families, staff and governors of Brantfield who have made this part of my life so special."

Once she retires, Mrs Broyd wants to spend her time walking the dogs, gardening, running and generally relaxing at home with her family.

Alyssa Dobbs takes over as head teacher on April 25, and joins the Brantfield team from a nursery school and children’s centre at Burnley.