Heacham Middle School teacher Esme Corner’s retirement in 2004 got good luck cards from Prince Philip and David Blunkett: Lynn News lookback

Here’s our weekly schools photo nostalgia feature:

Heacham Middle School headteacher Esme Corner is surrounded by pupils at her retirement presentation in April 2004.

Mrs Corner, who was made an OBE in the millennium year, received good luck cards from Prince Philip and also Home Secretary David Blunkett, a former Education Secretary.

She had been at the school since it opened in 1978 and her assistant head, Linda Field, said: “She was Heacham Middle School and the success of the school has been down to her. Being a headteacher has not been a job, it’s been her life – she is amazing.”

Mrs Corner was not going to take it easy, however, having taken a part-time role in Brussels as an education expert with the European Union.

Photo: MLNF-0404153