Parents and colleagues have said goodbye to four teachers at Southbroom Junior School as the school gears up for collaboration with Southbroom Infants School.

The summer term ended with the departure of junior school headteacher David Jopling, deputy head Anne Normington and teachers Norma Braine and Nicole Newton.

Mr Jopling had worked at the school for 15 years, seven as headteacher and eight as deputy head, while Mrs Normington had worked there for 22 years. She has been appointed headteacher of Ogbourne St George and St Andrew Primary School.

Mrs Braine has retired after 23 years at the school and Ms Newton has moved on after six years.

In September both schools will have an executive headteacher, Jan Wilson, who has been head of the infants school for 12 years.

Both school governing bodies decided to explore collaboration when Mr Jopling announced he was leaving.

Mr Jopling, who is moving to Devon, said: “It’s been a fantastic experience and I have worked with fantastic people, children and parents. I am really pleased to be leaving the school in a stronger position, particularly with the collaboration.”

The governors have said each school will retain its own identity, remain at its current location and have its own uniform.

Michael Bridewell, chairman of governors at the infants school, said: “We felt the time was right to go with collaboration. We already have a close working relationship between the two schools and we can use best practice from both schools.”

Assisting Mrs Wilson will be Sue Davies, deputy head at the junior school, and Leisha Bergqvist, deputy head at the infants school.