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School's longest-serving member retires aged 75

Louise Parry
BBC News, Bedfordshire
Sharnbrook Academy Pat Hampton smiles at the camera from inside the school office. In the background is a photocopier and a table with boxes on. She wears a red short sleeve blouse and her hair is golden brown in a smart bob, with a fringe.Sharnbrook Academy
Pat Hampton joined Sharnbrook Academy when it opened in 1975 as a midday supervisor and went on to run the copying and resources department

A woman who worked at a school for half a century, from the moment it first opened in 1975, is finally retiring.

Patricia Hampton, 75, was the longest-serving staff member and "cornerstone" at Sharnbrook Academy in Bedfordshire, attended by Olympic runner Paula Radcliffe.

"I'm going to feel very strange come September. I've got a few little holiday breaks, but it will be strange to not set my alarm on 31 August," she said.

Mrs Hampton said her role as reprographics manager – printing and preparing teaching resources – had bloomed in the 1980s then reduced more recently as technology developed.

Sharnbrook Upper School Pat pictured in black and white standing with her hands on a photocopier or desk and glancing slightly to one side. She wears a white blouse and has black curly hair in a bob. Sharnbrook Upper School
Mrs Hampton pictured at work in 1986, nearly a decade after the school opened

"Everything was done in reprographics: printing, binding, laminating etc. It was always very busy.

"Two and a half years ago reprographics completely changed when photocopiers were installed around the school and staff were able to do their own copying," she said.

Mrs Hampton recalled the giant Xerox copying machine the school bought in 1981.

"I saw the film 9-5 which had the same copier as us – the scene with papers flying everywhere!"

She said her favourite part of the job was "making sure everybody gets everything they need - just pleasing people, really".

"I thought after 50 years it's time to retire, give someone else a chance. Staff are becoming more independent and doing their own stuff now."

IPC Films/Lotus/YouTube A still image from the film 9 to 5. Jane Fonda's character stands next to a huge Xerox photocopying machine, which is bigger than she is. The grey L-shaped machine has one open side with slots for paper and a closed side with grills. Jane has short curly coiffed hair and wears large glasses and a lilac blouse. She holds a pile of papers and is looking anxiously at the machine.IPC Films/Lotus/YouTube
Mrs Hampton says the photocopier featured in 1980 film comedy 9 to 5, starring Jane Fonda, was the same machine she used at school

She was given a surprise send-off party in the staff room.

"I've had an ex-student and drama teacher come in and it's so emotional," she said.

Former colleagues took to social media to praise Mrs Hampton, recalling "the miracle-maker of reprographics".

One said: "No job was too complicated. She made anything and everything happen."

Principal Clare Raku said: "Pat has been an integral part of Sharnbrook since its very first day in 1975 - a presence so constant, supportive, and dependable that it's difficult to imagine the school without her.

"Her quiet efficiency, good humour, and tireless commitment behind the scenes have left a lasting legacy."

Sharnbrook Academy Mrs Hampton and a younger female staff member stand next to each other outside the school reception area, which has a sign saying Sharnbrook in large silver letters. Pat wears a blue, short-sleeved blouse. She and her colleague wear ID lanyards on a yellow strap and smile at the camera.Sharnbrook Academy
School principal Clare Raku praised Pat's "calm professionalism"

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