Pupils and staff are to bid a fond farewell to a head teacher who has seen a generation of pupils grow up and have children of their own.

David Wall helped inspire one former pupil to return as a teacher to Grovelands Primary School in Dunbar Drive, Hailsham.

Mr Wall is to retire at the end of this term after 16 years as head.

He joined the school in 1986 when it was located in Grovelands Road. He worked to get the school enlarged and it moved to its present site in January 1996.

During his time at Grovelands it has grown from just over 500 pupils to almost 700. Despite the increase in numbers, Mr Wall believes it has retained its sense of community.

He said: "The school is a happy, friendly community school with hard-working children and staff and I was pleased this was confirmed in two Ofsted inspections."

Former pupil Alexis Marsden, 24, came back to the school two years ago as a teacher.

She remembered Mr Wall's arrival when she was in Year 6.

She said: "When I first saw him I was six or seven and I thought he was a nice, gentle man.

"When I finished my teacher training I had two job interviews but I felt a connection to Grovelands.

"We are going to miss him here. He is very much on our wavelength."

Mr Wall told staff he planned to build a workshop in his garden and continue his gardening and painting hobbies.

His deputy, Marion Lace, will take over as head at Grovelands.