Friends, colleagues, pupils and governors came together to raise a glass to a much-loved headteacher.

After 10 years at the helm of Westfield Arts College, headteacher Andrew Penman is retiring.

A party was held at the school and all pupils and staff joined in to help Mr Penman celebrate and give him a deserving send-off.

Revellers made the most of the glorious weather and held a festival-style party with cream teas, ice cream for the children, a magic show, balloon modelling all wrapped up with live music from the Cherry Pickers.

Some of Westfield’s pupils entertained guests with songs and sketches and a spokesman for the school said they rounded their performances off ‘brilliantly’ when they sang and signed ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman.

The celebrations continued with a party for friends, staff and governors old and new.

Clair Adams, school business manager said: “It was great to so many people wishing Andrew well for his retirement but the highlight had to be school staff and the Cherry Pickers singing their own version of ‘Andrew don’t lose that number’ from Steely Dan’s original track ‘Rikki don’t lose that number’.”

In the decade as Westfield’s headteacher, Mr Penman has overseen a lot of changes at the school including the beginning of sixth form provision both at Westfield and Weymouth College.

He also set up the Dorset Special School Alliance (TADSS) an alliance of five schools that cater for a wide range of pupils with special needs and disabilities.

Mr Penman oversaw the introduction of Westfield’s ‘broadening horizons’ curriculum, and has led the school through two outstanding Ofsted reports.

Ms Adams said: “The impressive list of changes have all been made with the aim of ensuring all our pupils and students receive the best education possible.”

She added: “Everyone at Westfield Arts College wishes Andrew a very long, happy and well-deserved retirement.”