A much-loved primary school head who only started teaching aged 42 after taking a course at Kingston University has retired.

Brenda Mitchell, of Christ Church School, New Malden, stood down after 10 years as a headmistress and three years as a deputy headmistress.

She said: “I really do enjoy school communities and that covers everything and that includes church, parents, pupils and staff.”

Mrs Mitchell took the helm at Christ Church Infant School in 2001, and became head of the new primary school when it merged with the nearby junior school in 2006, and under her leadership it opened a nursery on its site last October.

As well as taking command of a busy school, Mrs Mitchell, who lives in Worcester Park, is both a mother and a grand-mother, and joked she wanted to slow down after her retirement.

She has many fond memories of the school, and one of her most recent was its Christ Church Has Talent show, modelled on Britain’s Got Talent.

Children performed in front of a panel of judges and staff provided the finale with a dance by Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity. A recording of the dance was sent to them.

Mrs Mitchell’s retirement plans include working for the local authority and travelling to Canada, China and Barbados.

Reflecting on her time at the school, she said: “The area that this school is in is a very supportive community and where I have been able to express my profession as well as my faith.”