THE long-serving head of Maidstone Grammar School for Girls has spoken of her sadness at leaving the school after 12 years in charge. Jill Judson has announced she is stepping down in December to take over as head of a mixed comprehensive school in Oxford.

She said it had been a privilege working with the staff and pupils over the years but felt it was time for a fresh challenge.

"It has been a wonderful place to be and it is a very hard place to leave," she said. "I decided if I was going to make a career move this was the time to do it. I have been at the school 12 years and I think it is time for a new challenge."

Mrs Judson, 51, took over as head teacher at the school in Buckland Road in 1990. She had been head of English and deputy head at a comprehensive school in Staffordshire before taking up her first headship in Maidstone.

During her time at the school she has overseen the switch from 13-plus to 11-plus entry as well as the admission of boys into the sixth form.

Her departure comes as MGGS becomes the first secondary school in Maidstone to be given Beacon School status by the Government.

Mrs Judson said: "I feel very pleased to be able to hand over the schools as it is. I am leaving it at a high point of achievement."

MGGS recently featured in a national Outstanding Schools list following a glowing Ofsted inspection in March 2000 and was recently given Beacon status making a model for other schools.

A new head is expected to be appointed in July.