HEADTEACHER Celia Hicks has announced she is retiring just weeks after helping Preshute Primary School achieve an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating.

She has been headteacher of the school in Manton, near Marlborough, since 2010 after moving from Ogbourne St George Primary School.

During her time as headteacher Mrs Hicks has led the school from ‘satisfactory’ to ‘good’ and as reported in the Gazette last week to ‘outstanding’, as judged by inspectors from the education watchdog.

But now after seeing the school flourish under her leadership she has decided to leave on a high and will be retiring in the summer.

“It hasn’t been an easy decision but I’m sure it is the right one,” she said.

“I shall miss the children and all people I have met along the way.

“Preshute is ready to fly, it is innovative, lively and the children have a real thirst for learning – it’s a really good time for someone younger with oodles of energy to come in and spearhead the next stage of its journey.”

Mrs Hicks will however continue to be involved in education and is going to be working part-time as a school improvement advisor.

She added: “When I took up this post I had two objectives- to improve its Ofsted rating and to reignite the quest for a new school - job done.

“I have now seen two schools make massive steps forward- Ogbourne St George from 'Additional Support' to 'good' and now Preshute from 'satisfactory' to 'outstanding', so feel it is the right time to go whilst on the crest of a wave.”

Ofsted inspectors, who visited the school in December, praised Mrs Hicks’ drive and ambition for the school in their report.

Announcing Mrs Hicks’ decision, Zoe Garbutt, chair of the school’s governors, said to parents: “Her commitment to the children, staff and wider community has been exceptional – she leaves the school with a highly capable team of teachers and teaching assistants.”