FORMER students of Hassenbrook Academy bid a fond farewell to long established maths teacher Mark Harvey in a surprise reunion at the academy.

Principal Mrs Sally Feeney posted on the Stanford page Facebook last month, inviting former students of Mr Harvey to come and give their best wishes to him in his final week at the academy before he embarks on retirement.

She said: "Many people would have been taught maths by Mark Harvey at Hassenbrook Academy at some point.

"Mr Harvey is retiring this year after more than 30 years at Hassenbrook and we would like to do something for him.

"He doesn't like fuss but I would like to invite former students to Hassenbrook for a surprise gathering. He'd love to see you!"

More than 80 former students turned up to the event yesterday, some going back to 1991 when Mark started teaching at the school. One former pupil flew in from Austria, others came from universities in Surrey and Brighton.

In order to get him to the hall for the surprise reunion, Mrs Feeney sent for him via her PA.

Mr Harvey said: 'When I was called down to see the principal, I thought I'd done something wrong. She then took me into the hall and said she wanted me to see something.

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"I couldn't believe it, and I still can't process it. It was amazing to see everyone and hear about their lives and their successes'.

Parents of current Hassenbrook students should be reassured that Mr Harvey will work next year part time to see a couple of classes through to GCSE.