HINCHINGBROOKE School’s headteacher Keith Nancekievill retired last week.

Mr Nancekievill had been at the school in Huntingdon for nine years and had a significant impact on both achievement and facilities.

He said goodbye to students with a week of assemblies and bid farewell to staff and governors on Thursday evening.

The school’s website credits Mr Nancekievill for turning around a half-a-million-pound deficit budget, while at the same time achieving a steady rise in results which has been acknowledged by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, the Youth Sports Trust and Ofsted.

Under his leadership, the school gained sports specialism in 2005 and the sixth form, based in Hinchingbrooke House, has increased significantly in both provision and numbers.

Local colleague Rob Whatmough of the St Neots Learning Partnership and Huntingdon Secondary Education Partnership said his retirement will “deprive Cambridgeshire of one of its most accomplished headteachers.”

Mr Nancekievill will continue his contribution to secondary education by assisting the Teaching Agency for the Department for Education, but will find time to enjoy gardening and writing.

Caroline Sheffield, chairman of Hinchingbrooke School’s governing body, said: “Throughout his headship, Keith has displayed integrity, a passionate sense of duty, dedication, and a long term vision for the future and under his leadership the school has improved substantially and in many respects.”

She added: “On behalf of all the governors who have worked with Keith, I would like to thank him for his commitment to Hinchingbrooke School and wish him a richly deserved, happy and fulfilling retirement.”

Di Beddow will be the school’s acting headteacher in the new term, with Pete Brennan and Carolyn Hann as acting deputy headteachers.

Caption: On last day of term, Keith Nancekievill planted a Royal Oak tree given to the school by the Woodland Trust to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.