A SCHOOL head who is taking early retirement after more than three decades in education says that increasing red tape gets in the way of teaching.

A SCHOOL head who is taking early retirement after more than three decades in education says that increasing red tape gets in the way of teaching.

Linda Buckley, who is to retire as head of Narborough Primary School this summer, says she has become increasingly frustrated with the job because the increased bureaucracy is at the expense of the real, important job of actual teaching.

“I have enjoyed my career over three decades but the focus on results and targets is at the cost of working with children and their families,” said Mrs Buckley.

She has paid tribute to her “fantastic” staff at Narborough who, she said, have been brilliant to work with.

“They are a hard-working and committed group of people who have propped me up on many occasions,” she said.

The school has strong links with the village church and is very much part of the wider community.

“The Rev Canon Stuart Nairn has been an excellent support to me as have our governors,” she added.

Since beginning her teaching career at Methwold Secondary school, Mrs Buckley has worked at Tilney St Lawrence primary school, Stoke Ferry primary school where she was deputy head. Her first headship was at North Pickenham First school before moving to take up her current headship at Narborough.

She explained that she decided to take up an option of early retirement and is looking forward to spending more time on her interests of sailing, skiing and walking in Yorkshire.

She is married to Trevor Buckley, who was previously involved in the former family garage business, Lovells in Paradise Road at Downham Market. The couple plan to continue living in Downham. One of their main interests is sailing their Pegasus 700 boat on the Norfolk Broads.