A PREP school has sung "a chorus of thank yous" to its headteacher of ten years after he announced his retirement.

Piers Heyworth will leave The Manor Prep at the end of the academic year, after more than a decade running the Abingdon school.

In a message to parents he said he will miss the school "enormously" and had no doubt the school would "go from strength to strength".

The school's chairman of governors Shaun Forrestal said: "We are very grateful to him for all he has done in creating the vibrant, nurturing and academically successful culture that makes The Manor such a special place.

"I want to add my thanks to what I am sure will be a chorus of thank-yous from parents, children, staff and Governors past and present, for all he has done as the leader of our school.

"The Manor is wonderfully placed to continue to build on his outstanding achievements."

He praised his colleague for leading the school through scrutiny from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, which judged the school to be outstanding across the board in both 2014 and 2011.

Staff said the school in Faringdon Road, which provides private education for girls aged 2-11 and boys aged 2-7, will shortly begin searching for Mr Heyworth's successor.