ONE of the longest-serving headteachers in Weymouth and Portland, Alan McKechan, 60, has retired after 20 years in charge at Underhill County Junior School.

A Dorchester man, he started his teaching career in 1972, in various schools in the county and he came to Underhill Juniors in September 1989 from Hellborne Middle School in Poole where he was deputy head.

His send-off from the island school was a spectacular event with each step of the day a closely-guarded secret and the whole programme arranged according to the wishes of his pupils.

He said: “I wondered why most of the children were not wearing uniform but before I could investigate, I was ushered into the hall where I was greeted by a sea of masked faces, all bearing an uncanny resemblance to Alan McKechan.”

A talent show was staged in his honour and, as his allegiance to Southampton FC is well known, a parody of When The Saints Go Marching In was sung by the pupils, with lyrics reminding him of all that he has done at the school over the past 20 years.

Among the many farewell gifts he received from staff, governors and parents was a Southampton FC shirt, signed by every member of his favourite team and with his own name on the back.

Perhaps the most emotive gifts of all were from his young pupils.

Mr McKechan said: “They gave me cards and gifts such as biscuits they had made and decorated themselves and packets of Maltesers, all of these purchased no doubt on the way to school with their pocket money.”

When the final bell in his time at the school rang, accompanied by all pupils and staff to wave him off, he went outside to find a red vintage Porsche awaiting to take him on a tour of the Island.

Mr McKechan, who lives in Weymouth, spoke of how much he will miss his pupils and colleagues and said: “I will still be keeping in touch as there are such exciting times ahead for education on the Island. I feel it was most fitting that the announcement of the go-ahead for the academy should have been made on my retirement day.”