A POPULAR headteacher is looking forward to holidaying abroad as he begins his retirement.

Alan Scott has been at the helm of Tottington High School for more than 20 years.

But now he is planning to travel and spend more time with his family as his 40-year career comes to end.

Mr Scott, who turned 60 in March, said: “I have had one of the best careers I could have ever imagined and I would not change a thing. I have family all over the North West so there won’t be a dull moment.”

Mr Scott, who lives near Didsbury, said one of his highlights at Tottington was when the school was awarded specialist maths and computing status five years ago.

He said: “I didn’t even know Tottington when I came to the school and it is a lovely little place. The school staff, parents and children are lovely and I will miss them very much but I hope I will be invited back and we will stay in touch.”

Aside from teaching, Mr Scott has served on the bench at Manchester City Magistrates Court for 24 years, a job which he hopes to concentrate on during his retirement. In September, he will spend a holiday in Lake Garda in Italy, followed by a Caribbean cruise in January, with his partner who is also starting her retirement.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet and when September comes my body clock will be gearing up for a new term so I wanted to get away.”

But for Mr Scott, retirement isn’t the only perk of turning 60.

“I got my bus pass last week and I am really excited,” he added.

Mr Brian Duffy, a former deputy headteacher at a school in Rochdale, will become the new head of Tottington High in September.