THE HEAD teacher of a York private school has retired after 22 years.

Valerie Tildesley, said goodbye to Ebor School, Rawcliffe Lane, to spend time travelling and with her family.

Mrs Tildesley first joined the school in 1981 as a classroom teacher, becoming head in 1983.

Under her leadership, the school's numbers doubled. Her success continued after Bootham School acquired Ebor School as its junior department in 1997. Mrs Tildesley has retired at the same time as her husband, Roger, who teaches at St Peter's School.

She said: "We have a trip planned to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and in between times it will be good to have some time to spend with the family."

Mrs Tildesley will be succeeded in September by Susan Ratcliffe, who is currently head of Castle Junior School, in Knaresborough.

Updated: 09:06 Tuesday, July 08, 2003