LIVERPOOL peer Lord Storey has retired from teaching after 40 years – to devote more time to politics.

The Liberal Democrat has retired as headteacher of Plantation Primary School, in Halewood, but is not turning his back on education altogether.

The 62-year-old former city council leader is becoming co- chair of the education committee of Lib-Dem parliamentarians.

In an interview to mark his retirement, the peer voiced concerns about the future of education as more Academies and free schools emerge.

Lord Storey said: “I have had a wonderful career and I think people who work in schools are in a very privileged position. They have a huge responsibility for pupils. In return they get so much back.”

Lord Storey’s former pupils include Josh Bolt, currently starring in the BBC’s Last Tango in Halifax, and Chris Arnold, the entrepreneur who founded Smaller Earth.

“Those are the ones you know. But the vast majority have a wonderful time at school and pursue careers.

“The other day I was walking down Otterspool prom and bumped into a former student. I said ‘Hello, Stuart, what are you up to now?’ ‘I’m a nuclear scientist,’ he said. This job never ceases to amaze me.”

The father-of-one said he believes the current agenda to sideline arts teaching is a mistake.

He added: “I think schools are about bringing out the best potential of children. But there is a danger in tickboxing and jumping to each government initiative going.

“We are a very creative nation. If we batten down the hatches and say all we are going to do is numeracy and literacy, we will lose that.”

He also has specific fears about education in the borough of Knowsley, which oversees Plantation Primary.

“Knowsley have been fantastic to me in giving me the opportunities to successfully follow other interests and ambitions.

“There is a danger now because Academies and free schools are getting set up.