A RETIRING head teacher was stunned when TV cameras visited her school to film pupils presenting her a stunning cake.

Judith Skelton retires tomorrrow after five-and-a-half years as head teacher of St Peter’s Junior School in Wisbech.

But before she left Year 6 pupils designed and baked a cake with the help of Brighton chocolaterie Choccywoccydoodah, the subject of a series on the Good Food channel.

Mrs Skelton said: “The cake was amazing. It was about 3ft tall with white chocolate icing and is decorated with things I like and memories of the school.

“It included musical notes, an outline of me with the children, an Ipswich Town FC badge, the school cross and Elmer the Elephant.”

Mrs Skelton, who is taking early retirement, was born and brought up in Littleport. After leaving school she pursued her dream of becoming a teacher rather than work on her father’s farm.

She was a head teacher in London for 24 years before moving back to the Fens to be closer to her family.

Mrs Skelton, who lives in Upwell, said: “It was always a dream of mine to come back to the Fens to work. I am very proud of being a Fen girl - I love the Fen culture and Fen traditions - so when the job at St Peter’s became available it was a dream come true.

“I have worked with a fantastic team and there have been some tremendous improvements to the fabric of the school while developing our Christian ethos.

“I have enjoyed every minute of working here.”

Mrs Skelton also enjoyed a surprise party at Elgood’s Brewery yesterday evening. She says farewell to pupils and staff tomorrow (Friday) in the school’s Year 6 leavers’ assembly.

She hopes to enjoy her retirement on the Fen waterways with husband Ted on their narrowboat. She also serves on Upwell Village Hall Committee and is looking forward to joining in with daytime activities in the village.