THE head teacher at one of York's most elite schools is set to retire.

Diana Gant, of The Mount school, will stand down in August 2009, after more eight-and-a-half years in the post.

Ms Gant said: "I have given the school governors plenty of notice of my retirement as the appointment process takes a long time. This will give ample time to find the right candidate and arrange a smooth transition.

"Although I have announced my retirement I still have much work to do before I leave. Our school development plans are very exciting and will ensure we remain at the forefront of innovative education.

"The Mount is a very special place with strong Quaker values. As soon as I walked through the door I knew I really wanted this post. I have not been disappointed. The warmth of relationships within the school community supports effective learning and pastoral care. It has been a great privilege to work here."

Ms Gant became head mistress at the Quaker school in January 2001, and has seen the school through two successful inspections of the Senior School and Tregelles, The Mount's coeducational Junior School.

She has also overseen two large building projects, the Tregelles extension and the new Sixth Form Study Centre. She said the latter, which opened in the summer, had been a huge hit with the older girls who now have "fantastic facilities" for their last two years at school.

Last summer A-level candidates at The Mount had a 100 per cent pass rate again and all gained places at their first choice universities.

The Mount was founded in 1831, and has been an all-girls' school ever since.

The school's website says their retention of that status offers the best to their pupils from a "social and educational perspective".

Famous former pupils include four Dames - actress Judi Dench, novelist AS Byatt, retired MP Elaine Kellett Bowman and astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell.