ACADEMIC, sporting, musical and artistic achievements at the Godolphin School in Salisbury are a source of joy for its headmistress, Jill Horsburgh.

But it is the school’s sense of community of which she is most proud.

And playing an active role in the community is something she wants to continue when she retires on Saturday after 14 years at the school – “two complete generations of girls”, as she puts it.

“I have plans to do something in the community in Salisbury,” she said, “I am training for Citizen’s Advice.”

She also plans to ride her New Forest pony, Apricot, more often, enjoy walks with her dogs, Jazz and Amber, and tend the garden at her cottage in Redlynch.

Miss Horsburgh, whose parents were teachers, read history at Oxford and completed her teaching qualification in Leicester at a time when the comprehensive system was evolving.

She taught history for four years at Downe House in Berkshire before moving to Benenden in Kent where she spent most of her career, becoming head of history and deputy head.

Moving to Godolphin, she saw the Blackledge Theatre open, the Baxter swimming pool, sixth form centre and new Douglas boarding house completed, and the adoption of IGCSEs, which she says provide “a better preparation for A levels”.

She has taught history, religious studies and psychology at 410-pupil Godolphin and said it was good to be head of a school with such a long history – it was founded in 1726.

The greatest challenge for “a school that has to pay its way” had been financial, with the need to maintain numbers coming under pressure during the recession.

She has enjoyed a series of leaving parties and received many gifts, including a picture of her horse.

She said: “Working with young people is fascinating and the girls here are absolutely wonderful.

“They get involved in a lot of community work and we have built up our connections with Salisbury.”

Those connections include the Alzheimer’s Society, Elizabeth House and Salisbury Women’s Refuge for whom the sixth form runs a children’s club.

“I shall miss the community of people here, the girls and my working colleagues,” she said.

“But it’s the right moment to move my life on and it’s right for the school.”

Miss Horsburgh’s successor is Samantha Price, who starts in September.