ABOUT 500 past and present pupils visited a school’s annual founder’s day to pay tribute to its long-serving headteacher.

On Saturday, Ranelagh marked the founding of the Bracknell school in 1709.

It was the last founder’s day for headteacher Kathy Winrow, who will be leaving Ranelagh School after 21 years of service.

As well as a marquee serving alcoholic drinks and puddings for visitors to enjoy, there was also a barbecue and a variety of stalls.

A sculpture marking her time at the school was unveiled – a wooden column with wind-assisted spinning sycamore pods on top, called 'Seeds of Learning’ She said: “This is really special to me. Ranelagh means so much to me and yes I have done my time here as head but what has happened is that so many staff and pupils have gone through this place learning and that is the legacy.

“The school is 305 years old and I am just a small part of that. I have helped move youngsters through times of learning both through their lives and their academic studies but I want to thank everyone who has helped me through my time here to make it so special for me.” Mrs Winrow will step down as headteacher in the summer, but will still assist current assistant headteacher Mark Williams for one day a week when he takes the reins temporarily in September. She will then be formally replaced by Beverley Stevens, now headteacher of Court Moor School in Fleet, in January.