PRESTON Lodge High School said goodbye to two well-established staff members at Easter.

Art department stalwart Jim Cramb hung up his classroom paint brushes for the last time as he said goodbye after 22 years at the school.

Also leaving was well-known Prestonpans singer-songwriter Alex Hodgson, who left his post as a technician in the school's audio-visual team after eight years to spend more time on his music career.

Mr Cramb was praised for his influence on the school’s arts and design department. A school inspector once described the artwork at Preston Lodge as some of the best she had seen in 20 years of visiting schools.

Gavin Clark, Preston Lodge headmaster, said: “To watch Jim engaging with families at a parents’ evening, while a student stands proudly alongside, is to witness the teacher-student relationship at its best. Jim has inspired many young people to make the most of their creative capacity, and to develop their creativity beyond school life.

“Whether it be the decoration of our assembly hall, displays within the art and design department and our corridors or the atmosphere in his classroom, Jim has had a powerful influence on the ethos of Preston Lodge.

“He cares passionately about young people and education and his capacity to share good ideas among our staff has made him a real leader in the development of our school. Jim will always be a friend of Preston Lodge High School and we will miss him terribly.”

Folk singer and musician Alex Hodgson joined the craft, design and technology (CDT) and audio-visual team in 2008 and has turned his hand to many different tasks over the years.

Mr Clark said: “Alex always has a can-do attitude, whether it be supporting our CDT curriculum, repairing computers or performing in musical events, Alex has been committed, friendly and well-liked.

“Alex moves on to focus fully on his musical opportunities and we very much wish him all the best in those ventures. We will miss him very much.”