Debbie Knight, headteacher of Sexton’s Manor Community Primary School, in Bury St Edmunds, retires tomorrow after more than a decade at her school

A headteacher who is retiring after 15 years at her school said being part of the team and community there had been ‘a privilege’.

Tomorrow is Debbie Knight’s last day as headteacher of Sexton’s Manor Community Primary School, in Greene Road, Bury St Edmunds.

On behalf of the entire school community, Richard Selby, chair of governors at the school, said they thanked Mrs Knight for her years of service and wished her a retirement filled with ‘joy, adventure and well-earned relaxation’.

Mrs Knight has been in education for 38 years and joined Sexton’s from Abbot's Hall Community Primary School, in Stowmarket, which was her first headship.

She said she had always tried to make sure the child was at the centre of all she did and added: “To achieve what you achieve, you have to have a great team behind you.

“I am grateful to the team, and the whole community, I have had here at Sexton’s Manor, and Abbots Hall, and it’s been a privilege to be part of it.”

She said a ‘real excitement’ for her when she started at Sexton’s was the inclusion of Early Years and Key Stage 1 children from Riverwalk School – which is for those with learning difficulties – on the site.

“I had a great interest in inclusion and I would say that’s a big thing about this school: it’s a very caring, nurturing and inclusive school,” she said.

Today, Riverwalk’s Key Stage 1 pupils are located at its main site, but Riverwalk’s Early Years facility is co-located at Sexton’s Manor.

Mrs Knight said one could not underestimate children and must never put ceilings on their learning.

“I’m proud of every single achievement a child makes whatever it might be, whether it’s sports competitions, they have learnt how to do a spelling or a maths problem,” she said. “It’s about the children.”

Speaking of her memories of the school, she said a highlight had been the music therapy initiative with nursing homes, which involved the children and care home residents composing songs together.

And the school’s recent ‘Sexton’s Got Talent’ contest – which culminated in performances at a church this week – revealed the ‘real community spirit’ at the school, said Mrs Knight.

“It’s a school with a big heart,” she added.

She said she had brought to the school the motto ‘think, believe, achieve’, which was developed from her fascination with how children learn and the importance of a positive ethos.

She added: “My big thing has always been the whole child. It’s about developing the whole child. Academic is important, but so is music, art and sport.”

She said she was leaving the school, which is rated ‘good’ by Ofsted and last year joined the All Saints Schools Trust, ‘in a good place’.

Speaking to the Bury Free Press last week, she said she would miss the children and the staff and departing would not come easy, but she was ‘excited’ about retirement.

Mrs Knight, who is a Liverpool Football Club fan, is planning to spend more time with family and friends and hopes to visit every football ground and also every cathedral.

Mr Selby said she left behind ‘a legacy of dedication, kindness and inspiration’.

He said: “For the past 15 years, she has been a vital part of Sexton’s Manor School, shaping the lives of countless children and supporting colleagues through her altruism and expertise.

“Throughout her time at Sexton’s Manor, Debbie Knight has been a leader, teacher, mentor, a role model and a source of encouragement for both pupils and all staff.

“Her passion for education, creativity in the classroom and unwavering commitment to the children have made a lasting impact.

“Whether it was inspiring a love of learning, nurturing confidence in young minds, or leading, Debbie has always gone above and beyond.”

He said she had developed a strong positive culture in the school based on ‘mutual respect, trust, inclusiveness and wholeness’.