A POPULAR headteacher, who has been at the helm of Marnel Community Junior School for a decade, has retired.

Alison Baron said that she was “enormously sad” to be stepping down after enjoying a 39-year teaching career.

Under her leadership, the school, in Shetland Road, Popley, has gone from strength to strength, and now has more than 100 additional pupils than when Mrs Baron first picked up the reins in 2003. The school now caters for more than 300 pupils.

Mrs Baron said: “It’s the end of an era but the beginning of a bright new chapter.

“I’m so proud of what I have been able to achieve here at the school, and so proud of all the fantastic staff and the pupils here.

“It has been an incredible time and I have so many fantastic memories to take away with me.”

Mrs Baron added she had been touched at the “outpouring of emotion” she had received from pupils, former pupils, staff and parents since announcing her retirement.

She said: “It has just been overwhelming. The first year here was quite tough but the support I have had has been fantastic. Popley is a great community.”

Mrs Baron, who began her teaching career at Kings Furlong Infant School in Basingstoke in 1974, has taught in a number of roles and at several schools in the borough.

The school’s current deputy head Danielle Owens will be stepping up to take over as headteacher.

Mrs Baron praised her successor, saying: “The school is in very safe hands, and I know she will continue to carry on with the fantastic work being done at Marnel.”

Of her retirement, Mrs Baron said she was most looking forward to “not getting up in the mornings”.

She said: “I have got a lot of plans for my retirement. I want to see more of my friends, decorate my house, spend time in the garden and really just have lots of fun.

“I’m really going to miss the children and all the friends I have met here. I am planning to keep a link with the school, but there will definitely be no more paperwork!”