THE head of St Clere's School in Stanford-le-Hope is to leave her post next summer at the end of the academic year.

Mrs Ashlie Hughes has been at St Clere's for 17 years, 11 of them as head.

Mrs Hughes says: "Throughout my career, which has also included working as a Literacy Consultant and an Ofsted Inspector, I have been very fortunate to work with many inspirational and exceptional people; but none more so than at St Clere's School. It has been an absolute privilege to lead such an amazing school and I will miss working with staff and pupils alike.

"Since joining the teaching profession later in life and starting work at St Clere's School, I can honestly say I have not looked back. I have travelled to work every day feeling fortunate to have such a rewarding and fulfilling job. Watching young people grow and develop, achieve their potential and realising their ambitions as they become responsible young adults and citizens is what drives most teachers, as it has for me.

"It has been a great pleasure to contribute to making this happen for so many Thurrock children.

"My leadership of the school has always been well supported by an experienced and highly professional senior team, who will continue to lead the school well. We have a great deal to do over the next two terms to ensure that our current pupils have high quality learning and every opportunity to achieve their full potential. I can assure you that we are all completely focussed on making this happen and, whilst a change in school leadership can be unsettling, I will be focussed on ensuring that we continue to provide the high standard of education that you, as parents, would expect from us.

"The governors and Osborne Trust are determined to ensure that we have a period of stability and the Chair of Governors will be writing to you in January with further information of the school's succession plan.

"St Clere's has been through some years of considerable growth with larger pupil intakes, improved, expanded facilities and now the formal designation of a sixth form. The next phase is even more exciting and I have no doubt that the school will continue to go from strength to strength as it develops an outstanding 11-18 provision, serving Thurrock families.

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"I look forward to working with pupils and their families over the next two terms."