Chris Price, one of Dereham's longest serving and most respected teachers, has retired after 27 years as head of PE at the town's Northgate High School.

Chris Price, one of Dereham's longest serving and most respected teachers, has retired after 27 years as head of PE at the town's Northgate High School.

Mr Price made a huge personal commitment to school sports teams and brought GCSE PE option and the Sports Leadership Award to the school.

He had a strong belief in at least two hours curriculum PE for all pupils and worked on training local primary teachers with the Tops initiative in the 1990s.

Mr Price, who began his teaching career with nine years at the Chase High School in Malvern, Worcestershire, before moving to Northgate in 1981, led his department to Sportsmark Award 1997 and 2000 and Sportsmark Gold in 2003 and 2006.

He also upheld the tradition of swimming galas, house matches and sports days and played a key role in maintaining and improving facilities including the astropitch and changing rooms, cricket strips, and tennis courts.

Mr Price said: “I will miss teaching and all my colleagues, both teaching and non-teaching. I have been very proud of the many achievements of individuals and teams, made possible by many enthusiastic pupils, the support of parents and the commitment of colleagues. In particular I am grateful for the support and encouragement of headteacher John Smith. I look forward to following the success of pupils, past and present.”

His last week at school featured a meal with the department at Wells, an “oldies versus youth” staff football match organised by Kit Circuit, and receiving leaving gifts which included a large framed photo of North Norfolk coast, books, wine - and a gold sprayed litter picker!