A HEADTEACHER who has seen many changes in education is retiring after 15 years in charge.

John Jefferson, headteacher at Westlands School, in Thornaby, has seen the introduction of Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) reports, local management of schools, the national curriculum and the reorganisation of three Stockton residential schools.

He said he was proud of everything that had been achieved by the school but it could not have been achieved without the commitment and support from staff, parents and governors.

Mr Jefferson said: "Westlands has much to applaud, a very good Ofsted in 1994, an excellent Ofsted in 1999, most recently an excellent Department of Health report on the residential facility and an excellent Ofsted report on the key stage four curriculum.

"We continue to develop to meet the special needs of our children. In particular, over the past two years we have incorporated children from Saltergill and Bishopsmill schools, built up a thriving specialist facility for children with autism, adapted the hostel to a special residential facility and opened a specialist unit for primary children with acute emotional and behavioural difficulties."

Following his retirement, the 61-year-old will start a part-time post as a tutor based at Newcastle University, which involves training headteachers.

He also plans to spend time gardening, ski-ing, bee-keeping and painting.

Mr Jefferson, who retires on December 31, said he was certain Westlands would continue as an excellent school.

The new headteacher is Allan Lacey, who has been headteacher of Springwell School, Hartlepool, for the past eight years, and has experience in special education.