Teachers were thrilled to be greeted with a surprise party organised for them by a student as a thank you for all of their support.
Jan Willett, an Open University (OU) student, of Romford, arranged a cream tea party for about 32 members of staff at Squirrels Heath Infant School, in Salisbury Road, Romford, for the help they have given in helping her reach her dreams of becoming a teacher.
She said: “For several years, all my colleagues at Squirrels Heath Infant School have supported me and kept me going. Not only with my study and career development, but emotionally when things may not have been going so well, so I want to say a really big thank you.
“My OU journey has been very rewarding and, even through all the challenges like working around my children, hurting my back and losing my Dad, I didn’t give up and am so thrilled to have finished and passed my Foundation Degree.”
Jan passed her Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) tests in literacy and numeracy and will be starting her two year part time BA (Hons) in primary education at Christchurch Canterbury University alongside working at the school.
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