A LUDGERSHALL resident and deputy head teacher of a renowned special school has stepped down after a 40-year career in education.

Dale Lansley began her career in mainstream schools teaching at Zouch Infant and Zouch Primary School before moving to Andover and joining Vigo Infant School.

As a pianist Dale was persuaded to playing in the occasional assembly, which led to over 30 years of teaching music across the age ranges and running recorder and music clubs.

“Teachers talk about planning, at one time I was planning lessons for my class plus additional music lessons for several classes each week,” said Dale.

Dale had always been interested in special needs and took up an appointment at Norman Gate School, where she helped to run an annual music festival for schools at what is now Winton Community Academy.

Dale took up a senior position in 1998 at the newly formed Henry Tyndale School in Farnborough under the leadership of head teacher Rob Thompson.

Rob praised Dale’s dedication to the work of the school and her contribution to working with parents under the SHIP (School Home Integrated Programme) initiative.

He said: “Another project Dale should be proud of is the outreach work. She has worked in 45 schools in Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire since 2001 when the school gained accreditation.

“The programme is funded by the county for Dale to support teachers and LSAs in mainstream schools to put strategies/systems in place to help children to maintain their placement in mainstream school.”

Dale has travelled 400,000 miles in her teaching career and said she is looking forward to not being on the M3 at 6.30am each day.

She will remain an ambassador for Henry Tyndale and offer one day a week to mainstream schools.