THE headmaster of Old Swinford Hospital, has announced that he will retire next year.

After devoting 26 years to the school on Heath Lane, Stourbridge, Peter Jones will leave at the end of August.

Mr Jones joined the team in 1988, as the director of sport and over the years he has taken on the role of day housemaster, staff governor, boarding tutor and member of the senior management team.

He has been headmaster for the last seven years.

Mr Jones said: “I have had a wonderful 25 years at Old Swinford, it has been an enormous privilege and honour to have been part of a very special and highly successful community. To end my career as an extremely proud headmaster means so much to me.

“I have been overwhelmed by the messages received from parents, pupils, staff, feoffees, governors and old foleyans on the announcement of my retirement. I look forward to my final and 26th year with relish and I am sure it will be as rewarding and fulfilling as the previous 25.”

Chairman of feoffees and governors, Malcolm Wilcox, added: “Peter has seen the school through a phase of significant capital development, modelling a modern school to match it, but without losing any of Old Swinford’s heart and history.

"He has set a footprint for his successor to continue with the development of academic excellence at Old Swinford Hospital, as well as the promotion of opportunities beyond the curriculum.”