A veteran teacher has said a fond farewell to the Ilford school where he worked for nearly 30 years.

Roger Taylor, former head of PE at Cranbrook School, Mansfield Road, Ilford, celebrated his early retirement last week saying he plans to spend it travelling.

The Leyton Orient fan was toasted by colleagues yesterday, who praised his time at the independent school which included leading 16 ski trips, 27 summer schools and serving on the Parent Teacher Association for 20 years.

Headteacher Ivan Mulinder said: “Mr Taylor was Head of PE from 1984 and is very passionate about the school as you would expect.

“I am sure that this is not the last we will see of him as he will be invited back to all school events and will be a guest of honour many times in the future for all his hard work, dedication and loyalty.”

Pupils presented Mr Taylor with a trophy yesterday, while the school showed their appreciation with a watch, a cake and a card. Under his management a number of Cranbrook teams became national champions in swimming and athletics and many more were Redbridge champions in swimming, athletics, cricket and basketball.

As well as becoming assistant headteacher in 2005, Mr Taylor helped the school achieve healthy schools status this year and get higher standards accredition for their travel plan.

Before he joined Cranbrook School Mr Taylor was a professional tennis coach in Nassau, in the Bahamas, where he met his wife Jane.

His daughter Sophie has also worked at Cranbrook, and is now a fully qualified PE teacher at Seven Kings High School. His son Sam is studying film at Portsmouth university.

Mr Mulinder added: “For his sins Roger is a Leyton Orient fan, but rumour has it that he will be spending more time watching Billericay Town FC in which he has shown increasing interest over the last few years.

“We all sincerely wish him the healthiest and happiest of retirements and a heart felt thanks for all his efforts to help make this school the fantastic school it is.”