MR DAVID Every, who has been Headteacher of Monmouth Comprehensive School since 1984, is to retire at the end of the academic year.
Mr Every came to Monmouth at an exciting and challenging time - comprehensive education was in its infancy, the foundations at Monmouth having been laid seven years earlier by his predecessor, Mr Geoffrey Alderton.
"It was a good time to come," he said.
Over the past 16 years, Mr Every has seen the school change and grow almost beyond recognition. Numbers have risen from 1,100 to 1,550 and the Sixth Form has expanded from 160 to 360, making it one of the biggest in Wales. Over 500 pupils come from outside the school's catchment area.
Mr Every began his teaching career in North London in 1964, teaching at Harringay, Edmonton and Enfield before taking up an appointment as Deputy Head of a school of 1,800 in Barnsley. In 1979 he was made Head of a School of 1,200 in Barnsley - his final appointment before coming to Monmouth.
His "long stint of management" has included being Head of the Sixth Form, Head of the Geography Department, Head of Social Studies and Head of Upper School.
Mr Every will continue to live at his present home in Ross-on-Wye.