WHEN Katie Brown started her career at a Derby school, she enjoyed the job so much she worked for free for the first two years.
Now, an incredible 43 years later, Katie is retiring from her role as a senior teaching assistant at Royal School for the Deaf Derby, in Ashbourne Road.
Katie has worked for five different head teachers during her four decades at the school and has also taught pupils who are now fulltime members of staff.
Pupils and staff held a leavers assembly for Katie who they describe as a cornerstone of the school community, known for her unwavering commitment, compassion and enthusiasm.
Katie began her journey in September 1981, when she was 17 years old, choosing to follow in her brother and sister’s footsteps by volunteering her time and skills to the school without pay.
Provided with meals and a room in the school’s residential unit, Katie quickly learned British Sign Language and realised she had found her vocation, applying for a paid position two years later.
This selfless act at the start of her working life set the tone for a career marked by generosity and dedication; Katie continued to give up her time for pupils at the school organising school exchange trips, Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions and days out for school leavers.
She said: “When I began volunteering at the school, when I was 17, I could never have imagined still being here so many decades later – but I did know I loved everything about the place.
“Times have changed enormously over the years. There were no computers, no mobile phones and attitudes to deaf people have evolved too. When my brother volunteered here the school was still called the Deaf and Dumb Institute, a term which is inconceivable today.
“But what hasn’t changed are the people; the children, the fabulous staff who are so hardworking and dedicated to what they do. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work alongside them and I shall miss everyone beyond words.”
In 2017 Katie was accompanying two deaf students to Buckingham Palace to pick up their gold Duke of Edinburgh awards when she was presented with a surprise award of her own.
The special recognition, which staff at the school kept secret from Katie, was to mark 25 years of assisting deaf students with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
Two years later Katie was named one of the top five TAs in the country and described as ‘always going the extra mile’.
She was put forward for the Teaching Assistant of the Year Award for her commitment to students and their families.
She was singled out for special praise after giving up her free time to undertake medical training, including tracheotomy care, to allow some of the school’s poorly pupils the opportunity to enjoy residential trips.
Katie made it down to the final five in the competition, which was run by Teaching Personnel, beating off competition from hundreds of nominations.
She added: “Working here has been one of the greatest joys of my life. While I am looking forward to retirement, I will always cherish the memories.
“I’ve had plenty of laughs, not least standing in for Cinderella when the lead pupil had chickenpox and her dress didn’t quite fit me. And I once stood in as Cha Cha in Grease and the look of horror on my dance partner’s face still makes me smile.
“I’ve loved taking part in fundraising events like Wig Wednesday and Christmas activities. We once had a day when pupils dressed like teachers and we had to wear school uniform. I got some concerned looks at the petrol station when I was filling up on the way home.
“I come from a big family – I have four sisters and I had an older brother too – but this school is my other family. It will always be a part of my life.”
Katie, who will be 60 next month, plans to spend more time with her daughter Hannah and 18-month-old grandson Noah, as well as enjoying caravanning holidays with her sisters.
Paul Burrows, head teacher of the school, said: “From the moment Katie stepped into our classrooms, it was clear she was here for all the right reasons. Their dedication to our students and teachers has been nothing short of extraordinary.
“Over the years, Katie has witnessed and adapted to significant changes in the educational landscape, always maintaining a focus on the well-being and success of the students.
“We are incredibly grateful for her many years of service and wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.”
Katie will continue to inspire children at the school after it was announced that a trophy named the Katie Brown Commitment to School Award will be handed out to future generations at the school’s annual Open Day. She hopes to return to the school next year to present the trophy.
