A food technology teacher who has taught more than 10,000 pupils and 38,000 lessons is retiring today after four decades at the same school.

Julie Fothergill started work at Northfleet School for Girls in 1978 when she was 21 after moving down south.

She said: "I had only intended to stay for a couple of years and get some experience before moving back to Manchester, but then a guy came along and we have stayed together ever since.

"I decided when I was in junior school I wanted to be a teacher. I failed the 11-plus and then I had the label of 'fail' and told I would never amount to much.

"I then met a nice teacher who really believed that I could do it. She nurtured me through O-levels and then A-levels – as those were the days you did not need a degree to teach.

"I then came down to Kent for the job and have been here ever since. But boy, has it changed."

Julie originally joined the secondary school in Hall Road as a food technology teacher and has worked her way up through the ranks to become subject lead for food and nutrition, which she has been for 15 years.

Since the late 1970s the course has changed names 11 times. It was first known as CSE home-making, cook and hostess but is now hospitality and catering.

The 65-year-old said when she started they had wooden draining boards, just five cookers which meant they could only teach 10 pupils at a time, and everything was written in chalk on a blackboard.

Now, her kitchen is kitted out with top-of-the-range equipment, computers and enough space for the whole class to cook at once.

During her 44 years at the girls' school, Julie has taught around 10,000 pupils and is even teaching a pupil whose great-grandmother was at the school.

The educator – who also teaches child development which looks at how people learn through play – is now retiring, jokingly telling people that more than four decades is "long enough".

Julie was planning to hang the towel in last year but decided to stay as she did not want to abandon her now Year 11 class in the final leg of their GCSE which was disrupted by Covid and lockdown.

She said: "I really, really love the school. When they say if you find a job you love you will not work a day in your life, that is how I feel. I feel I come to school to impart my knowledge on other people and see them prosper in their careers.

"I have been crying so much. It has been a case of 'this is the last time I will do this and this'. But I need to move on and do new things.

"It is mixed feelings, really. I am sad because I am leaving the children behind but I am excited. It is a whole new change for me. I am really going to miss my friends I have made here. The thing that really sticks out is how supportive every single member of staff is."

Looking back at her time at Northfleet School for Girls, Julie told of some of her memories.

"I came to school in my slippers once," she said. "It was dark and there was a power cut so I thought I was putting my shoes on. One student told me but it was already halfway through the day.

"When it was the first Red Nose Day, I was sporting a bright orange wig with full clown make-up. I got pulled over by the police because I did not take it off. They then escorted me to the supermarket where I was heading. It is the little things that stick with you."

Head teacher Chris Norwood said: "It is a pleasure to be finishing our academic year celebrating the amazing contribution Julie Fothergill has made to our school.

"Julie is a highly dedicated teacher who has always had a passion to see young people succeed through developing a love for her subject and her genuine pastoral care for all.

"Julie has impacted very many lives through inspiring a career in her subject and developing the essential skill for life of being able to cook.

"I have never known a teacher dedicate this much of her life to one school, such a great example of service to her local community."

Julie, who lives in Rochester, will be celebrating her last day today (Thursday) and is looking forwarding to volunteering at the Wisdom Hospice and with a Scout group.