The head of two primary schools who led both into becoming a federation is saying goodbye to both schools.

Laura Sproston, headteacher at Caston Primary School and Parker's Piece Primary School in Saham Toney, celebrated her last day with the schools' pupils on December 18 with assemblies and a tea party.

After taking up her post in Saham Toney in April 2011, Mrs Sproston went on to join the Caston school in January 2015 and was instrumental in the formation of the Dove Federation, which encompasses the two village schools and of which she became the executive head.

She also helped Caston Primary to achieve a 'good' rating from Ofsted during her short tenure.

'In each school I have been blessed with fantastic teachers and teaching assistants and parents who support their children and the schools,' she said.

'It has been a joy and a privilege to be the headteacher of both these schools and to work with all of my administrative, caretaking and teaching staff.'

School support manager at the Dove Federation, Angela Charlesworth, said: 'She [Mrs Sproston] has worked tirelessly over her time as head and her bubbly and warm personality has made her a real hit with staff and pupils, who will all miss her very much and gave her a wonderful send-off.'

Paul Cross, the Dove Federation's chair of governors, said she had been a 'larger than life head' and that her announcement of retirement 'came as a big surprise'.

He added: 'She will be greatly missed and a difficult act to follow.'

Mrs Sproston's teaching career began in 1979, with positions in mainstream schools and those for children with special needs in London and Kent.

She moved to Norfolk in 1998 and taught at primary schools in Marham and Thompson before moving to Parker's Piece.