HOLMES Chapel Comprehensive School headteacher Denis Oliver is to retire at the end of this year after 20 years in the role.

Mr Oliver wrote to parents and carers today (Thursday) to tell them of his decision to retire after informing the school’s governing body and staff.

He said: “I have been a teacher for nearly 50 years and the head at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School for 20 years.

“I can honestly say, it has been a wonderful part of my life both as a teacher and as an individual.

“During this time I have met and worked with some wonderful and talented people.

“We have dealt with some fantastic high points and some dreadfully sad low points.

“However it is, without question, the strength and skill of the people around me and the support of the parent body which have made this school the outstanding, family-orientated place of learning it is.

“More than anything, the sheer delight of seeing our young people learn, grow and develop has been my driving force.

“While reflecting on my time here, I made the connection to the fact that there has been only three headteachers at this school since it opened in the 1970s.

“It focuses the mind a little on the challenge our governors face in finding the next headteacher, one who can pick up the baton and drive the school to even greater successes without eroding its ethos.

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“It is a huge responsibility, one I’m sure that our governing body, led by its chairman Christina Burgess, will carry out with the utmost diligence.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support over the years and to wish them every success for the future.”