AS PARRENTHORN headteacher Arthur Francis retires after 16 years, he can feel proud in the knowledge that the school is approaching one of the most exciting times in its history.

After being tipped for amalgamation or even closure in the 1980s, due to falling rolls, the Heywood Road school is now enjoying a bumper number of pupils.

And with the introduction of an extra form of entry in September 2005, by 2009 Parrenthorn will go from having the current 670 students to 805 students.

In addition, the high school is on the verge of obtaining specialist status for technology after the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) agreed to make up the shortfall of sponsorship needed to submit an application.

Mr Francis told the Guide: "Unfortunately we were only able to raise around £19,000 of the £50,000 sponsorship money needed to apply for specialist status.

"So we applied to the DfES specialist schools trust partnership fund and we have recently been told they will make up the difference. I truly hope we will be successful in our bid but we have to wait until the summer for a decision."

Sadly, Mr Francis (60) will not be at the school to hear the news first hand as he said farewell to his colleagues and pupils at a special assembly last week.

Taking over the role of headteacher will be Mr Francis's right-hand man for many years, former deputy Mick Fitzgerald.

Until recently, Mr Fitzgerald had been deputy head for nine years before spending two terms as deputy at Helsby High School in Frodsham.

He will be making a welcome return to Parrenthorn after the Easter break.

Mr Francis joined Parrenthorn in 1988 at a time when it was threatened with closure or amalgamation. Before that he worked as a deputy headteacher at Ellen Wilkinson High School, in Ardwick, and prior to that he was a senior teacher in Chorlton.

Altogether, his teaching career spans almost 39 years and he says he has really enjoyed his time at the Prestwich school.

He said: "I knew it was going to be a challenge but at the time I was looking for a school where there would be a developing situation. From 1990 we always had more children than we could accommodate."

The situation came to a head last year when scores of pupils in Prestwich were left disappointed at not gaining a place at Parrenthorn or Prestwich High and plans to build more classrooms were quickly discussed.

Mr Francis, who has two grown-up children, will not be leaving the classroom forever, as he plans to do some supply teaching during his retirement as well as sprucing up his garden and getting himself in shape!