A LONG-serving headteacher is set for pastures new this Christmas after more than 35 years in the profession.

The Reverend Catherine Braithwaite will step down as headteacher at Holy Trinity CE Primary School in Raglan Road, Burnley, at the end of the week after nearly 18 years at the school. in the job.

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The mum-of-one, who was ordained in the Anglican church a few years ago, will take up a curate position at St Bartholomew’s Church and Holy Trinity in Colne.

A special carol service will be staged at St Mathew’s Church in Harriet Street tomorrow where the children, staff, former colleagues and friends will wish her on her way.

Rev Braithwaite, from Kirkham, trained as a teacher in Liverpool before taking a position at Walter Street Primary School in Brierfield.

She joined St James’ CE Primary School in Clitheroe as a deputy headteacher following spells at St Paul’s CE Primary School and Marsden Community Primary School in Nelson.

The 56-year-old said that her retirement wasn’t conventional and that she was looking forward to the next stage of her life.

She said: “People have said for a while that I was being called to become a curate and it’s a really exciting time for me.

“I’m going to do something that I really enjoy and leaving school at Christmas is great as there is always such a nice feeling around the place.”

A temporary headteacher will oversee be put in place for the final two terms of the year with a permanent replacement currently being lined up for the start of the Summer term.