Mrs. Di Williamson

Di Williamson has been teaching Food Technology at Ashby School since 1973, when it was known as Home Economics.

Since then, the arrival of computers and changing attitudes to food have had a huge impact on her lessons.

Mrs Williamson, who has a bank of 12 computers alongside the cookers in her classroom, said: "Thirty years ago, students were encouraged to concentrate on home cooking and prepare the sort of dishes they might make at home.

"Now the emphasis is very much on commercial situations and how a dish can be manufactured and marketed for restaurants or shops.All the coursework is done on computers so it looks more professional."

The highlight of Mrs Williamson's career came when 12 of her GCSE students picked up A*s in 2006.

Mrs Williamson added: "Hopefully, I have helped to open students' eyes about different foods.I want today's students to think twice about ready meals and packet mixes, and to try real cooking with proper ingredients.

"I will miss the buzz I get from being involved in a good lesson but I am looking forward to travelling a lot, gardening a lot, reading a lot and spending more time with my young grandson."

Mrs Williamson will be succeeded as Food Technology teacher by Sarah Middleton, one of her former students.