THE HEAD of one of East Lancashire's leading high schools has been forced to take early retirement because of illness.

Linda Robinson has announced she will step down as the head of St Wilfrid's CE High School, Blackburn, when the school year finishes this summer.

Her successor will start at the beginning of the academic year next September.

Mrs Robinson came from Bishop Rawstorne High School, Croston, to Blackburn in 1994 when St Wilfrid's was still grant-maintained.

During her time in charge, the school has gone back under local education authority control and has won technology college status.

The school, which has pupils from all over East Lancashire, has also been struggling to find a new site, and several attempts to relocate have already failed.

Mrs Robinson has been ill for some time and the school governors were reluctantly forced to accept her resignation. She did not want to comment on the illness.

The head said: "It is with great regret that I have, on medical advice, resigned my post.

"Being headteacher at St Wilfrid's is a privilege and a delight and I know that I shall greatly miss our school family."

She added: "The Christian love and kindness shown to me during my chronic illness has been outstanding and much appreciated. I can only wish a much loved school all the very best for the future."

John Leigh, the chairman of governors, said: "I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for all that Mrs Robinson has done during her time in charge.

"She had a clear vision for the school and she will be greatly missed by all of us at St Wilfrid's."

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