A HEAD teacher who led a South Lakeland primary school to achieve two outstanding Ofsted grades has retired.

Ruth Wall, head of Allithwaite Primary School for 12 years, left at the end of term with a retirement service in the village’s St Mary’s Church and a cream tea reception.

Chair of governors John Arthurs said: “Educationally, the school under Ruth’s leadership has been very successful, but her legacy is more than that. It is perhaps best summed up by a member of staff from one of the local senior schools who said: ‘You can spot the children from Allithwaite by their attitude, their politeness and their caring for one another’ - this ethos, I know, is very important to Ruth.”

Among her achievements is a link with a school in India and a child in Ethiopia which provides children a very direct insight and awareness of the needs in a different part of the world.

She also instigated significant changes to school buildings which have transformed the school into a very different place.