Teacher retires after 39 years

Date published: 14 July 2010

A DEDICATED teacher who began her educational career at Fearns Community Sports College in 1971 has decided to retire after 39 years.
Apart from a short period working as a supply teacher and time off to have her children, Susan Moxham has worked the Stacksteads’ school continuously.
“At one stage my son Sean was here as a pupil and my daughter Claire Jones was also here teaching science,” said Mrs Moxham. “I taught my son for two years but he always called me Miss in class.

“I have seen a lot of changes for the better in the last 10 years and the examination results have improved tremendously. Our maths results are particularly good considering the whole school has to take the subject.”
Although she will be leaving the world of full-time education, she is going to be teaching one-to-one on a part-time basis and is looking forward to holidaying abroad during term time.

Headteacher Mark Smallwood said: “During her many years at Fearns Mrs Moxham has inspired hundreds of pupils with her excellent teaching of maths and while head of year has supported hundreds more when they needed it.
“She has been one of the most positive personalities I have known in teaching and her natural enthusiasm and humour in her work will be sorely missed by all. We all wish Mrs Moxham the best in her retirement.”
Mrs Moxham, who lives in Burnley, said: “I used to live in Bacup, then Newchurch, and so this school was really convenient for me. When my daughter went to nursery in 1980, the school asked me to come back and I have been here ever since.
“I started as a maths and science teacher and decided I was going to specialise in maths after two years. I was a head of year for 14 years and I am retiring as head of maths.”

Her daughter is second in the science department at Accrington Academy and her son is studying at Lancaster University and hopes to join the police force.
Mrs Moxham added: “I will miss the people here and I will miss the pupils, but now I am going to enjoy myself, go on holidays, spend more time in the garden and join a gym… for the social life.”