HISTORY will be made when the borough's top private school gets its first ever female headteacher next week.

Bancroft's School has broken with more than 270 years of tradition by appointing Mary Ireland to succeed current headmaster, Dr Peter Scott, who is retiring after 11 years in charge.

Ms Ireland, currently deputy head of Christ's Hospital School, in Sussex, will take up her position when Mr Scott steps down next Friday.

Dr Scott, who has overseen rising academic standards and an £11million redevelopment of the school in Woodford Green High Road since he took charge in 1996, believes he is leaving Bancroft's in good hands.

He said: "Mary Ireland will find the school in excellent shape when she takes over.

"I'm sure she will want to preserve this, while bringing lots of fresh ideas to the job.

"She will come to us with 25 years of teaching experience and I am confident we can look forward to a positive future with her in charge."

Dr Scott, 58, who has recently moved from the headmaster's house on the school's grounds to a new house in Theydon Bois, says he decided to retire early to ensure he has the energy to pursue his other interests.

He said: "I will be involving myself in lots of new things, such as becoming a chair of Education International and a governor of a school in Tower Hamlets.

"I am very sad to be leaving Bancroft's because I have enjoyed my time here immensely and will miss the fantastic staff and children I have worked with.

"I am not moving far away, so if the new headteacher ever wants a chat about anything, she knows where to find me."

The headmaster, who has also taught at Charterhouse School in Surrey, says he is especially proud of his record of offering educational opportunities to poorer youngsters at Bancroft's through its scholarship scheme.