The end of the academic year will mark the "end of an era" for a Watford school as its headteacher departs after 21 years.
Pam Scragg has told the Watford Observer that she is "proud" of her work as she prepares to retire from her post at Nascot Wood Infant & Nursery School.
"It is such a special school and this role has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional life," she said. "I'm going to so miss the children and the families, we are quite a small school and close-knit community."
After more than two decades, Miss Scragg feels it is the "right time to step back and let somebody else take the helm".
She is looking forward to "enjoying a slower pace of life" and feels the timing is perfect as it comes during the school's 50th anniversary year.
Reflecting on how education has changed since her appointment in 2005, the outgoing head said: "The biggest change has been the financial pressures on small schools like ours. I think everyone is feeling the cost of living squeeze and it's the same with schools.
"Our budgets have flatlined but the expenditure has increased."
She also feels that the role of headteachers has changed, with heads now having to take on more responsibilities as leaders due to a loss of central funding and support.
A successor has been identified, with Sallyann Applegarth set to pick up the mantle from the autumn term, moving from her current role as deputy head of Cassiobury Infant School.
Miss Scragg said the school is "very fortunate" to have secured her appointment, describing her replacement as an "experienced leader".
- Watford school head to retire after 21 years
- Hertfordshire sites included in Aldi 'wish list' for new stores
She thanked the staff and governors for their support over the last 21 years in helping her to create "an environment where our young learners can achieve their potential and thrive".
The school has 180 pupils on its roll and only teaches children from Reception until Year 2.
Many of its students then go on to Nascot Wood Junior School for the rest of their primary education, with the sister school considered among Watford's best.
The most recent government figures revealed that the junior school was by some distance the town's most requested school when parents put in applications for the upcoming school year.
The infant school was rated 'good' by Ofsted in 2023, while the junior school was judged to be 'outstanding' when visited at the same time.
Share