IAN Gartshore, head of Ely Community College, retired this week after seven years in the post. Mr Gartshore, 59, has ended his teaching career and will be spending time pursuing his personal interests. He has many plans for the future but will begin his

IAN Gartshore, head of Ely Community College, retired this week after seven years in the post.

Mr Gartshore, 59, has ended his teaching career and will be spending time pursuing his personal interests. He has many plans for the future but will begin his retirement with a holday in Greece. He intends to assist with some research into diabetes and walk the Pennine Way. A keen cricketer, he also plans to give more of his time to Burwell Cricket Club.

Born in Barnsley, he studied at Cambridge University before teaching and taught in all the local counties during his 38-year career at Newport Grammar in Essex, Newmarket Upper in Suffolk, Downham Market High School (as headteacher) in Norfolk, St Ivo Community College in St Ives (as deputy head) and finally City of Ely Community College.

On the last day of term students presented Mr Gartshore with books on geology and geography and CDs, including Mozart operas.

Mr Gartshore said how much he had enjoyed working at the College, and how much pleasure the raising of achievement at the College over the last seven years had given him, particularly because it meant that young people's life chances had been considerably improved.

Earlier, on the evening of July 17, around 160 members of staff, students, parents and governors, past and present, and from several of his former schools, met in Needham's Hall to pay tribute to him and wish him a happy retirement. Also present were his wife, Sue, his two sons, Andy and Simon.

Speeches reflecting on Mr Gartshore's career were made by the Chair of Governors, Bill Harrison, Vice-Principal, Brian Harvey and former head of St Ivo School (where Mr Gartshore was once deputy head), John Rhodes. Mr Gartshore was presented with an original watercolour of Anglesey Abbey painted by local artist Steve Lewis and also a retirement cake, made by member of the college catering staff, Rachel Gandy.

Also leaving this week was Patricia Hobbs, the community education manager who had clocked up 21 years with the college and Pamela Gordon, who spent 23 years in the maths department.

Mr Gartshore will officially leave the college on August 31, after the GCSE and A Level results have been announced.