AFTER 25 years at the top, a school’s head teacher is retiring.

Alan Childs opened Castilion Primary School, Copperfield Road, Thamesmead, back in 1985 and has also worked with other schools to raise their standards.

Mr Childs, who is married to Lesley Childs, a teacher at Hurst Primary School in Dorchester Avenue, Bexley, has two adult children.

His retirement was marked with a farewell reception, assembly and event where the whole school gathered on the playing fields to release hundreds of balloons.

Deputy head teacher Anita Goodier said: “Alan has led a school with an exceptional reputation, not only for high standards of achievement but for developing pupils to become responsible citizens, with the confidence to follow their dreams.”