THE outgoing head of Glenmoor describes his time at the school as a privilege, and it’s easy to understand why.

During his time at the Winton girls’ school, Roger Allen has seen exam results improve dramatically and has overseen students’ involvement in a huge range of extra-curricular activities and competitions.

Mr Allen joined the school as a temporary maths teacher in 2003, offering to help out for just two days, and is still there nine years later. He retires at the end of next week.

At the time he joined the school, just over 30 per cent of girls were achieving five GCSEs at grades A*-C including English and maths.

Last year the figure had risen to 51 per cent and record results are anticipated when GCSE results are announced this summer. The school also boasts higher attendance than ever before, with students and staff all agreed it is getting better all the time.

Mr Allen said improvements at the school covered all aspects with many more extra-curricular activities available to students. These additions have been greeted with open arms by the girls as they add another side to their experience at school.

Activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh award have been made accessible, as has the popular UK Maths Challenge, which many students have taken part in throughout the school.

Recently a group of students travelled to Morocco to participate in the World Challenge. While they were there they helped rebuild and improve local schools, while also overcoming the language barrier. There have been similar visits to Sri Lanka.

Glenmoor is a rights-respecting school and students are encouraged to participate in outdoor learning, using equipment including bikes and canoes.

Glenmoor offers help to the local community as well. Some students go out to Talbot View care home to serve lunch to its members, who have returned |the favour by bringing a quiz team into the school.

They also do their bit for the environment, keeping chickens and a turkey in a pen by their school field, as well as growing produce like tomatoes which later go on to be used in the school |canteen.

Mr Allen said he was delighted with the improvements made to the school, adding: “Now this school wins things.”

The school has won national science competitions and, through the Dux awards, has two year 9 students who have qualified for a visit to Oxford University.

Furthermore, the school has national winners of the statistics poster competition and is also doing its bit during this Olympic year.

Head of PE Hannah Meecham is set to carry the Olympic flame during its journey to the Olympic stadium in London.

After half-term the role of head teacher will be taken up by Ben Parnell, seeing him become head of both Glenmoor and Winton Arts and Media College.

Guy Trotman will be deputy head at Glenmoor and Ben Antell at neighbouring Winton.

Everyone involved with Glenmoor will be sad to see Roger go, but will look forward to seeing the school improve even more in the future.