WILL the real Malcolm Irons please stand up? The Devizes School headteacher faced a sea of a familiar face when he said an emotional farewell to staff and pupils today.

For many students were wearing masks of his own face as they joined in a presentation event as he said goodbye after 13 years at the helm.

Mr Irons, 59, plans to undertake a long distance coastal walk next spring to raise money for charity and this was used as a theme as whole school joined in a special version of the Proclaimers' I Will Walk 500 Miles.

The singing, dancing and masks were a complete surprise to Mr Irons who announced his intention to retire in March.

He said: "I can honestly say it has been the best job I have ever had. I would like to thank all the staff, past and present, who I have worked with for making it so. I would also like to thank all the students and parents, past and present that have been part of our extra-ordinary school community.

"I am going to miss the school and everyone in it tremendously. It will be very strange come September when everyone else will be returning and I won't be.

"I don't know whether it will be best to go away or just face it and get through it."

But he is not expecting to be bored. He hopes to raise a considerable amount of money for the Rethink Mental Illness charity with his 630 miles walk along the south west coastal path next April and May, to spend more time playing golf and to join a choir.

He also hopes to use his management experience to help a charity or good cause close to his Warminster home.

Mr Irons, who is married with three children, was given a pre-leaving present by Ofsted inspectors who earlier this month rated the school as good.

They particularly praised the relationship between staff and pupils, saying: "Relationships between all members of the school’s community are strong. The school is a calm and supportive place in which to learn."

This re-inforced Mr Irons' belief that he was leaving the school in a good place and that he had made the right decision to retire while he was still young and fit enough to pursue other goals.

He said: "I want to be an explorer. Not going to far off places but just exploring different things in life."

Mr Irons was presented with a book of memories full of pictures of staff and pupils and him taking part in various activities.

He also got a leavers' hoodie with Malcolm on the back and a mug with Senior Leadership Team written on it as well as vouchers for golf lessons and a host of other gifts.

Deputy head Sue Marshall will take over as acting head in September while governors interview for a permanent replacement. It is expected someone will be in place by the time pupils return after the Easter break next year.