Taunton’S longest-serving secondary head teacher is retiring from the “best job in the world” at the end of next term.

Kevin Freedman is leaving The Castle School after almost 15 years – but there will be no let up as the end of his 37-year career in education looms.

Taunton-born Mr Freedman, 58, said: “I do the best job in the world. I love what I do - in some ways, that’s the time to finish.

“The school’s in the best position it’s ever been and it’s time to move onto the next stage.

“It’s capable of growing more with such good people here.”

As well as record exam results, The Castle is catering for post-16 education from September.

Mr Freedman, who is married with two grown-up sons and lives on Dartmoor, said: “Retirement offers the excitement of other things I’ve had to put on hold.

“I’ll be in Australia watching the Ashes next year and want to write the book I’ve always promised.”

He taught in Essex, London, Derbyshire and Plymouth, where he was Lipson Community College vice-principal until January 1996, when he took up his current post.

“I’ll miss The Castle like mad, but there’ll be no easing up over the next two terms,” said Mr Freedman.

Castle chairman of governors Sheila Naylor said: “Kevin will be greatly missed, but he’ll leave with our grateful thanks for a job superbly done.

“He took over a successful school and by his strategic vision, boundless enthusiasm, passion for and commitment to learning, has steered it to the strong local and national reputation it currently enjoys.”