TWO former pupils of Skipton’s Ermysted’s Grammar who started at the school on the same day, and who returned later in their careers to become department heads, have now retired on the same day, at the end of the summer term.

Roger Humphreys, head of modern foreign languages, and Steven Howarth, head of history, who together have notched up 70 years of teaching, began their relationship with Ermysted’s in August, 1972 when they were put into the same form class, and given seats next to each other - the seating being arranged in alphabetical order.

Steve, who was put into Petyt House, went on to captain the school’s rugby first team and was head boy in 1978/79, while Roger, whose father had been a pupil at the school in the late 1940s, was in Hartley House, and was cross country champion in the same year Steve was head boy.

Steve returned to Ermysted’s in 1993 as the school’s head of history, replacing his former form master and history teacher, George Varley.

Roger came back to the school in 2005 as head of modern languages, having taught German and French at Stamford School, Lincolnshire for three years, and at Leeds Grammar for 18 years.

“I am pleased that numbers studying German and French at Ermysted’s are buoyant against a backdrop nationally where such numbers have plummeted,” said Roger. “I feel encouraged that the current languages team is exceptionally good and will take our past successes forward.”

Roger, who spent 13 years teaching at Ermysted’s, plans to concentrate on running in his retirement, and has set his sights on next year’s Three Peaks Race. He is also on the committee of the Old Boy’s Society. Fellow former pupil, Michael Greenwood, who returned to teach chemistry at the school, also left at the end of the school year.