A HEADTEACHER described as a 'beacon for academic excellence' is retiring after 11 years.

Richard Pilgrim who has headed Charters School in Sunningdale, Ascot announced his retirement on Tuesday, July 21.

The headteacher is described as 'popular' with parents and 'much loved' by students and he was also keen to nurture the talents of every single pupil at the school.

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Mr Pilgrim has been with the school for 36-years after he joined as a physics teacher in 1984 and was promoted to a head of year role three years later.

He said: “Teaching is the most wonderful of professions.

Bracknell News:

"To have had the opportunity to benefit so many individuals from within this community, makes me very proud. I will miss them all!”

In 1992, Richard became head of science and his appointment as a deputy headteacher took place in 1999.

Following the retirement of Marcia Twelftree in 2009, Richard undertook the pioneering role of co-headteacher alongside Martyn Parker until Martyn’s retirement in August 2018.

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Since then he has led the Sunningdale school as sole headteacher, cementing the school’s reputation as a beacon for academic excellence in the local area.

His creation of the PiXL Edge scheme, a framework for developing and accrediting students with the personal attributes that are essential for employability and life, is one example of this and has been adopted by hundreds of schools throughout the county.

Charters School said: "Richard will be a hard act to follow, however the Board of Trustees is confident that the school will be in safe hands following the appointment of Mr Jonathan Fletcher, who is the out-going Headteacher of The Beaconsfield School."