THE head teacher of Winchester’s St Peter’s Catholic Primary School is to leave next July.

A letter to parents, sent out just before the end of term, said Cath Howells had given two terms’ notice of her departure.

She has been at the school for nearly two decades, starting as a teacher before becoming deputy head and then head.

Governor Revd Mike Gardner said that interviews to find a successor will be held in the New Year.

He did not know what role Mrs Howells was going on to, but added: “She’s of an age to have another school within her.”

Chair of governors Sue Broadbent said there would be a celebration of everything the popular headmistress had achieved at St Peter’s in the summer.