A popular headteacher is saying goodbye at the end of term to the school he has transformed over the last 16 years.

Rod Welsh will say good-bye to St Edwards Royal Free Ecunemical Middle School in Parsonage Lane on July 17, the last day of term - which will also be the day he turns 60.

Mr Welsh, a father of two grown-up daughters who lives in Beech Road, Langley,, said: "My number one priority when I retired was to do some travelling. The last time I really travelled was in my 20s when I was free, I have a lot of catching up to do. It is ironic that as things turned out I'm still going to have to wait."

He began his career as teacher at The Windsor Boys School, under its legendary headteacher Peter Blake. He went on to teach at Herschel Grammar School before becoming deputy head at a school in Hertfordshire.

St Edwards in Windsor was his first school as a headteacher.

Chairman of governors Yvonne Conroy said in a letter to parents: “When Rod started in 2004, he embarked upon a programme of change that has transformed the school from one that that was not overly popular with Windsor parents, to a school that is now over-subscribed each year.

"Rod’s vision and his capacity to implement positive change has led to our growing reputation for educational excellence as is evidenced by our consistently good SATs results. During Rod’s tenure, we have had three OFSTED inspections resulting in awards of 'outstanding' and 'good' ratings."

Mr Welsh said: "I'm probably proudest of the fact that the school achieved an 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted in 2010, followed by the council's decision to expand St Edwards from a three form to a four form school. It showed we were recognised us a a popular and successful school."

Mr Welsh supervised the change from being a school with 360 pupils to one with 480 - all the extra places being snapped up by parents,.