A HEADTEACHER who came out of retirement to save a school in special measures has been given a farewell party by grateful youngsters.

Tony Coppin was lying on a beach in Portugal, enjoying his retirement, when he was called in September 2012 and asked him to become interim head at The Mayflower Primary School.

The school in Main Road, Dovercourt, had been placed into special measures by Ofsted, after a damning report said it was “failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education”.

Just a year later Mayflower Primary had made an astonishing turnaround, being rated outstanding in every category.

On Friday children held a surprise picnic on the school field followed by special performances in a goodbye celebration.