THE headteacher of an 'outstanding' Taunton school is set to retire next year.

Sarah Watson, headteacher of The Castle School, will be leaving her role in January 2021.

Ms Watson, who has been the leader at the school for ten years after taking over from Kevin Freedman, will be continuing on in her role as CEO of The Castle Partnership Trust, which looks after other schools in the area.

She added she had hoped to tell her students in person, but with the current coronavirus restrictions in place, she was sad to not be able to do that.

Somerset County Gazette:

TEN YEARS: Sarah Watson will be leaving her role in January 

She said: "Although I am retiring from The Castle, I have agreed to continue as the CEO of the trust for three days a week to provide continuity and support.

"I intend to pursue the ambition of the trust in providing the very best education for all children in our communities."

The school will shortly be advertising for a new headteacher who will take up the role from January next year.

"I am confident that we will find someone who has energy and dynamism to be the new headteacher and to make sure that the students get the very best opportunities that a school can provide," she added.

"It has been my very great privilege to be the headteacher of students and families of Taunton for over a decade. I have been in the wonderful position of working with the very best staff I could possibly wish for. I was fortunate to inherit a great school from my predecessor, Kevin Freedman, who set the tone for the school and I hope that I have built upon the great foundations that he and his predecessors put in place."

The school has been Ofsted rated outstanding since 2009 and has seen a host of good GCSE results throughout the years.

Ms Watson said the decision to leave has been a difficult one to make, but that the school will always remain in her heart.

She added: "For the time being, I have to say this has not been an easy decision and I feel like there is still so much I want to do at The Castle.

"But that will always be the case and I feel I am leaving it in a good place.

"I always tell students that they will always be part of The Castle School, and I know that will be as true for me as it is for them."