TRIBUTES have been made for a former Dudley head teacher who has died at the age of 88.

Doris Ellis (pictured) reigned supreme over Priory Infants from 1964 until 1985 and was well known for her strict discipline and fondness for her children at the Limes Road school.

Former colleagues of Mrs Ellis have paid tribute to their “excellent” leader who always put the needs of the children first.

Dorothy Wood, aged 83, was the school’s secretary and worked with Doris for 23 years at Priory and Ocker Hill in Tipton, where Mrs Ellis started her teaching career before taking over the reigns at Priory.

Dorothy fondly remembers the head teacher to be “very strict, but very fair”, but always managed to get the best out of her young pupils.

She said: “Not one child during her 21 years there left Priory without reading or writing.

“She was very strong on discipline, but she was always rewarding children who worked and tried hard.

“They were very happy times at Priory and the staff were very happy under her leadership.

“She was so dedicated to the children and their education, I remember she used to get her car out in a morning and go and fetch all the children from their homes who hadn’t turned up to school.

“After I retired at 55 we always kept in touch, but we still always called each other Mrs Ellis and Mrs Wood, she was very old school.”

Many of her pupils will no doubt remember having their legs slapped by Mrs Ellis, which was her approved form of discipline as she never owned a cane.

As well as teaching hundreds of youngsters, Doris was also a leading member of Old Hill tennis club from the 1950’s and even became the ladies tennis champion, playing for many decades after.

She was also a key member of the Dudley Soroptimists.

Doris was happily married to her husband Gordon for over 50 years and lived in Hagley. The couple never had children and after her husband’s death in March 1993, Doris spent the next 15 years travelling and spending time with friends.

Mrs Ellis died in Kidderminster Hospital on September 25 after breaking her leg.

Margaret Hickman, who taught at Priory school under Mrs Ellis’ leadership added: “Priory was a unique and wonderful school to be in during her time there.

“She had a huge impact on my life and will be sadly missed by many.

“It is the end of an era.”