AFTER seven years at the helm of St Faith's School, Mark Biltcliffe is leaving for pastures new.

Mr Biltcliffe became headteacher in Easter 1994 after leaving St Margaret's Middle School, in Leamington. He is leaving to become headteacher of St Nicholas' School, in Kenilworth.

Mr Biltcliffe said: "I'm leaving with mixed feelings - it's a happy school which will hold great memories for me but I'm looking forward to a new challenge.

"St Faith's has a caring environment created and shared by pupils, their families and all the staff.

"If I can build on that by taking it to another school, I would have achieved a major objective.

"Any child has a great opportunity at whichever Alcester school they attend and it has been such a privilege to teach in this town, it has a great deal going for it.

"I hope and believe that St Faith's will carry on being as successful as it has been.

"Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to return to St Faith's in a few years' time and see how it has continued to flourish."