A LONG-SERVING Hampshire secondary school headteacher has today announced her retirement after 14 years.

Janice Bernard, the head at Perins school in Alresford, near Winchester, will step down next July.

She introduced major changes including Perins becoming a Specialist Sports College in 2002 and the recent academy status,.

Mrs Bernard said: “I have thought long and hard about the timing of my retirement. I am passionate about Perins School and it would be tempting to stay longer as I will miss the staff and students terribly. However, I feel the time is now right for both me and the school to make the change.”

Recruitment for a new head teacher will commence immediately with the board of governors keen to have someone in the post as soon as possible to enable a smooth transition period.

Chairman of Governors, Sue Pakenham-Walsh, said: dded “We are very sorry to be saying goodbye to Mrs Bernard, but will always be grateful to her for all she has done for Perins. Choosing her replacement will be no easy task.

“It is vital that we get someone who understands the Perins ethos and everything we are trying to achieve for our students and community.

"Whilst we would like to make an appointment as early as possible it is more important that we get the right person and, if that means waiting a little longer then that is what we will do”.