Pat Rudge, a 62-year-old teacher from Lydiate, is retiring this summer after a 40-year career in education, including 38 years at St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School in Tuebrook, Liverpool. She has become a familiar face to generations of local families, having taught thousands of children—many of whom later brought their own children to her class.
Rudge, who spent most of her career teaching Year 6 pupils, said the decision to leave is proving more emotional than she expected. 'I've done my 40 years now, so that's why I said it's time to hang up and give up the chalk, as it was in my day, and put your smartboard pens away,' she told the Liverpool ECHO. 'I've absolutely loved it. I can honestly say not many get to my age and still love it.'
From Victorian classrooms to smartboards
Rudge began her teaching career in the mid-1980s after being inspired by her own teacher at St Matthew's Catholic Primary School in Skelmersdale. She recalled a pivotal moment: 'I went into a lovely second year junior teacher and I loved her, and I thought, 'That's what I want to do.' But I always tell the children that before that I wanted to be a witch because my sister drove me up the wall and I wanted to turn her into a frog and throw her out the window. So I always tell the kids I've succeeded in both of my ambitions. I can be a witch, and I'm a teacher as well.'
After three years teaching at Sacred Heart in Kensington, she joined St Cecilia's in 1988. The school then resembled a Victorian institution with wooden desks, a stark contrast to the modern school she had come from. 'I was like, 'Oh, what have I done?'' she said. 'But I worked with fantastic colleagues, and we were a fab team. The school has just gone from strength to strength, and I've been part of that journey and absolutely loved it all the way through.'
Community bonds and multigenerational teaching
Despite opportunities to move schools and advance her career, Rudge said the strong sense of community at St Cecilia's kept her rooted in Tuebrook. Over the years, she taught children who later became parents, creating lasting bonds. 'It's like a school reunion every night in the yard because they're always saying, 'Hi Miss!' and I say, 'Stop calling me Miss!' They're all there with children of their own now, and I've taught them all. It's lovely. It's like a big family,' she said.
One former pupil from her very first class recently contacted her after learning of her retirement. 'He must be about 48 now. He texted me because I heard I was retiring, and it made me cry. It was so lovely. It made me realise that kids don't really change. They're still the same, and they're still what keeps you going.'
Adapting to change: from chalk to Covid
Throughout her career, Rudge witnessed significant transformations in education, from chalkboards and handwritten worksheets to interactive whiteboards and online learning. The Covid pandemic posed one of the biggest challenges, requiring teachers to adapt overnight to remote learning. 'We had to relearn how to teach. We had to put everything onto computers and send it to people's homes. It was crazy. I'd be there trying to teach, and all these parents would be popping up on the screen saying, 'Hi Miss,' it was good fun,' she recalled.
Despite these changes, Rudge believes the core of teaching remains unchanged. 'The kids. That's what keeps you going. You never have a dull day. Every single day is different. I love being with the kids, they're so funny. There's always somebody who'll make you laugh, and you'll belly laugh at the things they get up to. There's no other job in the world like it.'
Awards and achievements
Among her proudest moments are seeing children overcome challenges—a nervous pupil performing on stage for the first time, conquering fears on residential trips, or achieving SATs results after years of hard work. 'You see a child who's terrified of water jumping into a gorge or a child who's struggled through Year 6 and passes their SATs. Then you see the quietest children getting up on stage and singing or acting in a play. There's loads of things you can be proud of as a teacher. That's why the job is amazing. I'd encourage anyone to do it,' she said.
Rudge was named Teacher of the Year by Radio City during her career, an accolade she still laughs about. 'The year before, the winner got a trip anywhere in the world. The year I won it, my prize was to go to the Blue Planet Aquarium and swim with the sharks, so I wonder why some people voted for me in the first place, but I'd like to think they loved me, not that they wanted to throw me for feeding time. I'm still reigning champion of Radio City, I'll have you know.'
Emotional farewell
As retirement approaches, Rudge said she is struggling to come to terms with leaving a school she describes as part of her identity. 'It's everything. It's through my veins like a stick of rock. It's through my whole body. I just love it. My own sister says, 'You've given your life to that school,' and I think, well, they've given their lives to me. It's just an amazing community.'
While she looks forward to travelling, spending time with friends, and helping care for her eight grandchildren, she knows what she will miss most. 'The staff are fantastic, and we have such a good laugh, but it's everything really. The building, the children, the people. Just knowing that I won't see all those people every day is breaking my heart. I'm dreading my last few weeks because I'm going to be a mess, but I know I'm doing the right thing.'
