HEADTEACHER and Beatles fan Dave Edwards was given the perfect retirement send-off – after his pupils treated him to hits from the Fab Four.

The 63-year-old was handed a Sgt Pepper costume and paint-on moustache to wear as he listened to a string of Beatles classics.

Mr Edwards, who is also The Sentinel's athletics correspondent, is leaving the 295-pupil Hassell Primary School, in Newcastle, after 19 years to take up a job with education watchdog Ofsted.

He sang out the 12-song set, including Hey Jude, during yesterday's assembly.

Pupils and staff had kept the special assembly secret and been practising during the day when Mr Edwards was out of school.

Mr Edwards grew up at Station Grove, Milton, and got his first teaching job at Packmoor when he was 29. He has also worked at Blurton Primary; Endon Hall Primary, at Endon; Churchfields Primary, in Chesterton; and Ravensmead Primary, in Bignall End.

Mr Edwards, who is one of Newcastle's longest-serving headteachers and lives in Alicia Way, Baddeley Green, said: "I was told we were having a dress-down day but when the children came in dressed in different Beatles outfits I thought something wasn't right. I was just overwhelmed and flattered.

"I feel privileged that I was around at the time of The Beatles and think it changed the face of Britain forever.

"I've always tried to put children in the limelight and it's strange now the tables have turned."

Keen guitarist Mr Edwards, who has taught dozens of children to play the instrument, added: "I'll miss Hassell, I really have enjoyed working here.

"I love seeing pupils achieve and to see children who've left this school grow up and be successful adults in their own right.

"This school has been my life and my passion. It has not just been a job, it's more than that. I've never been afraid to give 110 per cent. I'm sad to be leaving teaching more than anything because I won't be able to make an impact on children's lives with their education. Hassell means something special to me.

"I'm leaving the school as a good school, it's nice to be going out on a high."

The Beatles assembly was organised by deputy headteacher Kirsty Bourne, who is replacing Mr Edwards.

She said: "We wanted to do something as a staff. Up until the morning when we came in dressed up he had no idea what we were doing.

"When the letters went home to the parents, we thought one of the little ones would give the game away but they didn't."

Teacher Annie Leggett, who has worked with Mr Edwards for 17 years and regards him as a friend and a colleague, said: "He's always been there for me."

Kayleigh Dale, who left the school in 1997 and qualifies as a graduate teacher in September, said: "Mr Edwards was quite strict when I was a pupil, but he's toned it down a bit now.

"I was always frightened of him. I'll miss him and his little quirky comments."