LONG-serving head Alan Bell is retiring after nearly 40 years in teaching.

Mr Bell, who has been in charge of St Mary's RC High School at Astley for 13 years, is due to leave at the end of this term after a career full happy memories.

He said: "I have been very happy at St Mary's. The people are so warm and welcoming, I find Leigh a very friendly community. Going will be tinged with regrets -- St Mary's has been a very important part of my life."

Mr Bell taught geography at two schools and held the headship at a third, before joining St Mary's in 1988, and has experienced many changes in the education system.

"There was the switch to local management of schools -- which I think is a good thing, as managing their own finances gives schools more autonomy and greater independence. There was the introduction of the National Curriculum, new assessment systems and league tables, all interesting changes but not welcomed by all."

Although Mr Bell is looking forward to the future he will miss teaching, particularly the day-to-day relationships with the staff and the working relationships with the pupils.

"There are around 1,700 pupils and 140 staff, who all have a very strong loyalty to St Mary's. I will miss it, but am looking forward to being able to do the things I don't have time for now, like playing golf and working on my allotment, I also want to spend more time with my family -- particularly my two grandsons."

Mr Bell hasn't given up school life altogether and will still be involved with both primary and secondary schools through his new part-time job, working for the Catholic Archdiocese in Liverpool.

His successor David Burnett, currently head at St John Fisher in Wigan, will take over at St Mary's in January.