An era came to a close at a Petersfield school yesterday as its long-serving headteacher said his final goodbye to students after three decades at the helm.

Simon Williams has steered the Good Ship Churcher’s for much of this century, presiding over thousands of students since taking over in 2004.

But after 22 years he’s about to sail off to a new life on the Isle of Wight and a late summer of adventure.

He got a big send-off from staff and students at the end of term but there was one final hurrah yesterday in the form of A-Level results day.

He said: “There’s many things I’m going to miss but I’ve also got a lot of things planned for the future – for instance, I’m going to travel during term time.

“I made the decision last year. We write a Strategic Development Plan every five years so there’s been one in 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020.

“But when I sat down to write the 2025 plan with my pen in hand, I didn’t know what to write. At that point I thought Churcher’s needs new inspiration, new ideas and new leadership.

“I probably could have stayed on but I think a change is sometimes good, and I have to put the school first.”

Mr Williams is handing over command to Will Scott next Thursday, who faces a busy first day as headteacher as it’s also GCSE Results Day.

The outgoing headteacher was also thanked by the school during their outdoor ‘Grand Summer Celebration of Music” earlier this summer in a nod to Simon’s love of music and the arts.

He added: “I have absolutely loved it here but every school needs fresh blood from the top all the way down. But it’ll always have a place in my heart.”