A HEADTEACHER who has spent almost two decades encouraging the educational development of Alcester youngsters will be retiring at Easter, writes Helen Clarke.

Andy Shearn, from Alcester Grammar School, started teaching in Leicester in 1967 after leaving the RAF.

He taught for a year before going to university to gain his Post Graduate Certificate in Education.

He then taught at a grammar and a comprehensive school in Trowbridge for nine years before becoming an outdoor pursuits instructor in the Lake District.

After five years' teaching in Warwick, he moved to Alcester Grammar School in 1983 to take up the position of deputy headteacher. He became head in 1990.

Mr Shearn, who is married with four children - all of whom have been students at the school - said he had seen several changes in the education system since he started teaching.

He said he would miss the school and the many things which had made him tremendously proud during his time there.