Jan Davies has been at the same school since 1990
Jan Davies started at the school in 1990(Image: Photo by Iain Watts)
A Liverpool headteacher who has inspired children from the same school for over 30 years has officially retired. The ECHO recently reported how headteacher Jan Davies, 58, was retiring after 35 years at Lister Drive Infant School on Lister Drive, Tuebrook.
Jane first joined the school back in 1990, originally working in the reception class, but for over a decade has been a headteacher at Lister Infants. Jan, known to thousands of pupils as Mrs Davies, has seen generations pass through the school gates and even return with their own children.
Jan described Lister Drive Infant School as her “second home,” but after more than 30 years has decided it is the right time to retire. Many have since shared their thanks and well wishes to Jan, who retired at the end of term on Friday, July 18.
READ MORE: Inside ‘science fiction’ style shopping centre near Liverpool in the 70sREAD MORE: Fascinating footage of Knowsley Safari Park as it looked in the 1970s
On behalf of Lister Drive Infant School, Kirsty Gordon, Deputy Head, said: “As Mrs Davies closes this chapter, the Lister family would like to thank her for decades of dedication and her exceptional leadership. The school has thrived under her guidance and support. Kindness and care are always at the heart of everything she does.
“She is loved by all and will be missed very much. She leaves a mark on this school that will last for generations.”
Jan Davies, former head teacher of Lister Drive Infant School (Image: Photo by Iain Watts)
On our Facebook page, ECHO readers, as well as many former pupils and families from the school community past and present shared messages to Mrs Davies. Becky Clancy said: “Oh that school thrived with Mrs Davies in charge, always wanting to improve and develop the school and taking time with all the children.”
“My three children have all been lucky enough to have Mrs Davies as Headteacher and we couldn’t have asked for more for them from her, she will be truly missed and big shoes to fill. Enjoy your retirement you absolutely deserve it xx.”
“Jeni Holman wrote: “The best headteacher, forever grateful for her help with my son. You are loved by so many you will be hard to be replaced xx.”
READ MORE: ‘Liverpool character’ lived in ‘little wooden hut’ at Pier HeadREAD MORE: This supermarket staple brand now own Liverpool’s most famous landmark
Stephanie Roberts said: “Ahhh Mrs Davies. My three children, my niece and two nephews absolutely loved their time with you at Lister Infants, so much so Sophie returned to help after she’d finished her GCSEs. We all wish you a wonderful, relaxing and happy retirement from all the Roberts, Loyley & Chadwicks x.”
Kevin Davies commented: “Boss Mrs Davies, enjoy retirement. The kids always looked up and respected you and so did the parents.”
Sian Murphy wrote: “Good luck Mrs Davies, we will all miss seeing you at the school x.” Mike Sutton said: “Absolutely outstanding headteacher and person. Helped develop all three of my kids. Kind, professional and so caring. Will be such a miss to the school.”
Jan Davies called the school “her second home”(Image: Photo by Iain Watts)
Lisa Saleh commented: “Amazing headteacher! She was respected and loved by all of my kids, simply because she gave respect and love. Happy retirement from Cobi, Sami, Shaylah and Layth.” Trish O’Dwyer posted: “Enjoy your well earned rest Mrs Davies, all my three went to Lister and can honestly say you were such a lovely person, so approachable and supportive. Best wishes for your retirement Xx.”
Jo’anne Hollis Brennan wrote: “Ahh congratulations on your retirement Mrs Davies. My two sons went to Lister and I can honestly say, you were so kind and caring and a wonderful teacher. Thank you, enjoy your well earned retirement xx.” Leigh Perry commented: “Honestly the best headteacher ever so supportive and amazing with SEN children couldn’t of gotten my Adam through infants without you.”
Jenny Perrin-Murney said: “Absolutely wonderful headteacher! The school has massive boots to fill. Enjoy your retirement, thank you for always treasuring each child individually in your own way. It never went unnoticed.” Leanne Brice posted: “Brilliant headteacher to my three sons – the best headteacher they had throughout their school years, wishing Mrs Davies a very happy retirement from the Brice family X.”
READ MORE: Home of ‘the mole’ people drive past in Liverpool every dayREAD MORE: Lost rides and attractions at Camelot theme park we loved as kids
Jen Powell said: “Couldn’t have had a better headteacher during our time in the Infants! We will never forget you!! Have a wonderful retirement! We hope to bump into you from time to time xx.” Jeanette McCann commented: “Congratulations Janet! We started at Lister on exactly the same day, both called J Davies! Wishing you an excellent retirement.”
Cath Falco said: “Congratulations Mrs Davies, hope you enjoy an long and happy retirement.” Jayne Griffiths wrote: “Wonderful lady! Amazing school and my children had the privilege of you being their headteacher. Thank you so very much Mrs Davies. Xxxx.”
Camille Bimpson wrote: “After 35 years of teaching our kids, you will deserve your retirement enjoy and thank you from me and my three kids.” Shirley Jones posted: “She was a wonderful teacher her very first day at Lister was the day my daughter started, remember it like it was yesterday, good luck in life Mrs Davies x.”
Leah Hobin commented: “Happy retirement, all the best for the future xxx.” Kelly Miller posted: “Good luck Mrs Davis.”
Jenny Seasman wrote: “Happy retirement Mrs Davies, loved by pupils, parents and staff.” Louise Barlow said: “Amazing person inside and out will be missed by so many.”
Mrs Davies with children and families at her Family Festival as part of her retirement celebrations, July 2025(Image: Photo courtesy of Lister Drive Infant School)
Lisa Jones said: “Aww remember Mrs Davies from when I was there over 20 years ago. She was a lovely teacher x.” Jade Smith commented: “What a wonderful headteacher, she made Lister a great place xx.”
Netty Marsh posted: “Best wishes for your retirement Jan!” Karen Bailey commented: “I’m in my 25th year at teaching at primary and this has made me so happy. What a lovely story and a great lady. Brilliant! well done! I bet everyone’s dead proud of you! Xx.”
Brian Newman said: “Happy and healthy retirement. You have earned it.” Stuart Campbell wrote: “I love to see anybody work, enjoy a career and retire. It’s great that Mrs Davies has stayed at one school. I wonder how many hundreds and hundreds of children she has taught over the years. I wish her all the best in her retirement. She sounds great.”
Ross Campbell said: “Wow, what a lady! What a great story. Mrs Davies must have some great memories and she will have helped so many children on their way. I wonder what careers and lives they have gone on to have.”
Jan, originally from St Helens, told the ECHO: “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher I always just loved being around children and really found genuine joy in children and helping them to discover and grow into confident little individuals. It was something I knew I would find deeply rewarding and I have found it so rewarding my whole career.
“I came to Lister after successfully applying to what was, back in the day, the Liverpool Pool. You’d apply to a pool of teachers, and then they assigned you a school, so I was assigned Lister Infant School, and I started there in 1990, where I first taught in the reception class.”
In 2003, Jan became deputy head, and around 2007, she became a specialist teacher for Reading Recovery, which helps young children who struggle with reading and writing to develop their skills. Jan said Reading Recovery is her “passion” and has been “the most rewarding” part of her career.
Mrs Davies, headteacher, at her This your Lister Life dance show with Mrs Gordon, deputy head(Image: Photo courtesy of Lister Drive Infant School)
In September 2013, she became headteacher at Lister Drive Infant School and over the last three decades has come to know generations of children. Jan said: “Having worked in the school for so long now, we see so many ex-pupils return with their children.
“I would say Lister Infants really is at the heart of our community. We do develop strong relationships and bonds with the children and their families.
“So to see them come back time and time again is really lovely, and it’s amazing. You never forget the children – you just see them as they turn up, and you know them straight away.
“You see them as a child, you remember the friends that they had, and it really is lovely. It’s the type of school that when you do go to it, nobody really ever does leave.
“It’s a very happy school, a very happy community. They are just the loveliest children, and the families are lovely.
“And I just instantly became attached to the school, and I would never, ever consider ever leaving it. I never sought headship, and if headship hadn’t come my way, I would never have gone anywhere else – I just love working as part of that community.”
Last Friday, July 18, marked the end of the school term and Jan’s last day working at Lister Infants. Before her final day, staff, children, and parents joined together to celebrate Jan’s extraordinary career with a special ‘This is your Lister Life’ dance show followed by a family festival in the meadow, sharing memories, laughter, and more than a few tears.
Jan said: “It’s been so, so emotional – the last six months have been so emotional. On the last day, I think I cried all day, to be honest.
“There were so many families who just popped in that I hadn’t seen for years with flowers or a little gift or a card, and that was just. It really was.
“I think I cried nearly all the way home – it’s been like a second home for 35 years. I’ll miss the community, and I’ll miss the staff that I worked alongside.
“They are such a loyal and professional group of people; it was an honour to work with them. But I will miss the children most; they’re first and foremost the most important thing.
“Seeing them every single day and the little hugs they’d give me as they arrive at school and the little stories they tell me, just the deep sense of purpose that I got in knowing that my work was making a difference and helping the children. Finding that reward every single day – I’m gonna miss that.
I’m hoping to go back and help out with some reading in any way I possibly can because I can’t just walk away. It is just a wonderful school.
“I am so grateful to the school and the community for giving me the best career I could have ever wished for. I wish them the best of luck going forward.”