LONG-SERVING deputy head teacher at Westlands School in Torquay, Pat Brown, has retired.

She taught science, health and social care and sex education at the school which she joined in 1996.

Her first teaching post was in Oldham, near Manchester, and she was quickly promoted at other schools. She then put her career on hold for six years as she moved around the country supporting her husband, Adrian, in his career and bringing up their two children Nigel and Lindsey.

A career move for Adrian brought the family to Devon in 1988. Pat secured a job as a science teacher at South Dartmoor School, Ashburton, taking on the role of careers teacher and then head of sixth form.

In 1996 she was appointed as assistant head teacher at Westlands where she distinguished herself and was soon promoted to deputy head teacher.

She forged relationships with local schools and universities and was instrumental in gaining Training School status for Westlands.

Head teacher Mike Stewart said: "The teaching profession is vastly richer due to Pat's guidance and mentoring of trainee teachers in her care at the start of their careers.

"She will be greatly missed by colleagues and students alike."