French teacher Jayne Andrews-Wheeler has said au revoir to the school where she has taught for 34 years with a tea party with a Gallic twist.

Staff and pupils at Rowdeford School special school, in Rowde, all dressed in red, white and blue, wore berets and put onions around their necks to surprise the 57-year-old.

She said: β€œIt was a complete surprise to me. It was really lovely.”

She joined the school a year after leaving teacher training college and originally worked as a house mother to some of the boarders. She then became a teacher of general subjects before moving to her speciality of French.

At the party, where French-style cupcakes, croissants and pains au chocolat were served, Mrs Andrews-Wheeler was presented with gardening vouchers and so many bouquets of flowers she had to go and buy extra vases for her Rowde home.

Also saying a temporary goodbye were deputy head Emma Rossiter and science teacher Claire Brown who have gone on maternity leave.