TRIBUTE has been paid to a teacher who has chalked up three decades at the same school.

Over the years Mrs Elena O'Hare has taught across all age groups, from reception to Year 6, at Cullingworth Primary School.

Originally from Keighley, she attended Oakbank School in the town before enrolling at Didsbury School of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University.

She began her teaching career at the old Cullingworth school site in 1994.

In addition to serving as a teacher, Mrs O'Hare was the school's special needs co-ordinator for many years and she is the deputy safeguarding lead.

She is also a member of the Parent Teacher Association, supporting events including a school disco, and helps plan a popular annual Rose Queen Day which raises funds for the school.

A spokesperson for Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, of which Cullingworth Primary School is a part, says: "Throughout her career to date, Mrs O'Hare has always shown her dedication to the wider life of school and children’s personal development.

"She has supported residential trips to encourage adventurous learning opportunities, planned exciting school outings and keenly attended sporting competitions.

"Mrs O’Hare has a passion for making learning exciting and will often dress up in character to support these memorable curriculum experiences.

"Last year she led the eco council to achieve the ECO School Green Flag Award. And this year she co-ordinated the first eco climate summit at the village hall, which was an enormous success. She has also been heavily involved in tree planting to enhance the school grounds, with more than 1,000 saplings planted in the last three years."

When the village eco summit took place in March, Mrs O'Hare praised the "knowledge and passion" the pupils had demonstrated for improving the world.

"We completed some fantastic projects within the school which helped us achieve the ECO School Green Flag status," she said.

Cullingworth Primary School headteacher, Cathy Isaac, says: "We are so fortunate that Mrs O’Hare is part of 'team Cullingworth'. She is such a passionate and hard working member of staff. We are truly privileged to have had her on our staff team for so many years, and we have enjoyed celebrating this special 30th-anniversary milestone with her."

Celebratory activities included a picnic, involving the whole school, and a visit from an ice cream van.

A special assembly was also held, which included a display of photographs spanning Mrs O'Hare's teaching career.