AN Ivybridge primary school head teacher has said goodbye to the school she transformed into one of the best in the ­country.

Heather Hanrott retired from Woodlands Park Primary School this week, a few months after the school was rated as 'outstanding' across the board by Ofsted.

Ms Hanrott started at Woodlands Park in September 2007. She was looking for a ­bigger challenge after working as head of The Grove School in Totnes for six and a half years.

Heather said her main ­ambition when starting the role was to move the school from a 'good' rating to 'outstanding'.

In March Ofsted inspectors judged Woodlands Park at the highest level in all five key areas of its work.

Heather said: 'In 2010 we were rated as "good with outstanding ­features", so it was just nudging it in the right ­direction.

'The Ofsted team came at the right time for the school, before the new head starts.'

Heather, who bid her farewells to staff and pupils at a leaving assembly on Wednesday, said achieving the rating was her proudest moment at the school.

She added: 'We worked really hard and have just been very vigorous. I'd say it was my proudest moment at Woodlands Park, and thanks go to everyone.

'You never know how an inspection might go, but when the lead inspector went through the grade with me, it was very emotional. For me it's about having good communication with parents and being a strong, visible presence.

'I think it's about being relentless in what you want and being clear with staff that we're all in this together.

'Parents were lovely in their positive comments – they were very affirming about the school.

'It was emotional saying goodbye – I've built good relationships with staff, children and parents.

'I've been honoured to be head teacher of Woodlands Park. I've really enjoyed my time and have valued the very positive relationships with parents, the humour and delight of working with children every day and the professionalism and commitment of all staff and governors.

The Ofsted inspectors' verdict was a personal tribute to Heather, with lead inspector John Layer saying: 'The head is very ­successful in her relentless drive to continually improve the school.

'She is uncompromisingly committed to excellence and provides valued support to other schools. Staff from other schools visit to see best practice.'

Heather said she is now ­looking to spend her time on a whole variety of activities, from travelling around Scotland, New Zealand and Europe to continuing her work with education network Devon Teaching.

Speaking in April after the Ofsted verdict, chair of governors Iain Grafton said: 'The ­single most important job school governors do is to appoint the head teacher.

'When we appointed Heather in 2007, we did so because we believed she had the skills, ­experience and leadership to take Woodlands Park forward and to achieve this fantastic accolade from Ofsted.

'On behalf of the governing body of the school, I take this opportunity to thank Heather and her staff for all they have done for the children of Woodlands Park.

'We wish Heather good luck for her retirement in the summer.'

The school governors have appointed Sarah Rogers as the Heather's successor.

Sarah, who is head of a junior school in Portsmouth, has already spent a number of days at Woodlands Park and will be relocating to Devon with her husband.