A HEAD teacher once nicknamed ‘the wicked witch of the west’ because of her no nonsense approach is leaving teaching after 17 years at the top.

Tracey Ralph has been a head for 17 years - nine of them at one of York’s largest primaries, the 586-pupil Westfield, and prior to that she was in charge at both Our Ladies RC in York and Norton primary in Ryedale.

She admits that when she started out at her current school she ruffled a few feathers, but is determined to show there’s no hard feelings.

She said: “When I first started at Westfield my nickname was the wicked witch of the west - I was quite unpopular with some parents.

“Every year we put on an end of term production and this year I’m doing the Wizard of Oz just so I can sing ‘ding dong the witch is dead’ as a joke!

“I’m really going to miss it here. It was a school requiring improvement and when I was appointed the governors wanted me to get the school to ‘good’.

"I have always believed that teamwork is the key to success, and I have been so fortunate to have worked with such outstanding colleagues and governors at Westfield. 

"The children at Westfield are very dear to me, and as a local resident in the Westfield Ward I will continue to follow the school's progress with interest and loyalty. 

"I wish the new head teacher every success, and hope he or she is as happy at Westfield as I have been."

“In January we had an Ofsted inspection and it was a top good, so I have done what I was appointed to do.”

When she leaves the school in July, Mrs Ralph, 54, will be taking on a new job with Ofsted as an HMI or lead inspector.

She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed and I start there in September - it’s right across Yorkshire and Humber.

" It’s such a fresh challenge. I have been a head for 17 years and I don’t want to start another headship now, but to be able to draw on my experience for the new job, I’m hoping I’ll be able to make a difference beyond York.”

Linda Brook, Westfield chairman of governors, said: “Having worked with Mrs Ralph as chair of governors for over two years, I know she has great passion for improving the outcomes and life opportunities for children, both at our school and beyond.

“I cannot think of a better accolade for a head teacher than that stated in our school’s recent inspection letter: ‘Mrs Ralph’s professional commitment to the community and its children has made a positive contribution to the life chances of many. You have seen pupils flourish from the time they enter school to the time they leave.’"

“Mrs Ralph has made significant improvements to our school in the nine years she has been in post, has developed staff from trainee teachers to head teachers and will leave a wonderful legacy for the future successes of our children.

“I am sure Mrs Ralph will be just as committed to putting children first in her new post as she has been at Westfield and we wish her well in her new role.”