When Barbara Clements started her teaching career at Staniforth Secondary School in 1971, Ted Heath was Prime Minister, Michael Caine was gracing the screen in Get Carter, and the UK had just switched to the decimal system.

While the school may have changed its name more than once - first to Charles Burrell High School and now to Thetford Academy - Mrs Clements has remained for 43 years.

But she called the register for the last time on Friday as she takes retirement at the age of 64.

After four decades of teaching home economics to thousands of pupils, she said that although the profession had changed, one thing had stayed the same.

'Thetford children are a brand of their own and they are super kids.

'The way they are taught is different and my subject has changed a lot, but they are the same,' she said.

Abiding memories from her years in Thetford include the school's end of year plays.

'All the staff were involved making costumes or back stage and they were really good times.

'There were also sad times when we lost staff, but there are so many good memories that it's hard to pick out just one,' she said.

Mrs Clements will continue to help the school until the summer on an informal basis.