A headteacher has passed the torch to her replacement after 'ten truly wonderful years' at the helm of an independent school in Caversham.

Karen Edwards founded The Heights Primary School in September 2014, starting out with  2 reception classes and Year 1, and has grown to become a full primary school since then.

Mrs Edwards has recently bowed out after steering the school through years at its temporary home in Westfield Road Park, the coronavirus pandemic, and its big move to a permanent site at the Mapledurham Playing Fields, which was finally achieved in September 2021.

In a farewell letter to parents, Mrs Edwards said: "Now it is time for me to say farewell after ten, truly wonderful years here as the headteacher of The
Heights.

"I can’t begin to explain what an incredible honour and privilege it has been to have been the headteacher of this fabulous school.

READ MORE: Caversham Heights Primary School could expand to teach more pupils

"I have been on and had the most amazing journey and experiences, from when we had no site, pupils or staff, in April 2014, to seeing our first pupils,
(61 Reception and Year 1 children), running across Westfield Road Park to the school on the temporary site on our opening day in September of that same year.

"We have led trips and experiences, had an Ofsted and continued to grow every year until we reached our capacity of two year 6 classes in 2020."

She also reflected on continuing to teach during the coronavirus pandemic, the move to the school's permanent home and joining the Bellevue Place Education Trust (BPET) in December 2023.

The Heights Primary School which has been built on Mapledurham Playing Fields and was opened in September 2021. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting ServiceThe Heights Primary School which has been built on Mapledurham Playing Fields and was opened in September 2021. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Mrs Edwards continued: "The rest, as they say, is history.

"I feel blessed to have worked with the most wonderful pupils, staff, parents, governors, now Local Advisory Board (LAB) and members of two trusts throughout my time here.

"There has been much laughter (and some tears), warmth and buckets full of love and wonderful memories.

"Aside from raising my own children, there is nothing that I feel more proud of in my life, than what we have achieved as a community, altogether at The Heights.

READ MORE: Temporary site used by Caversham Heights Primary School is up for sale

"I would like to thank everyone who has helped support the school and myself personally over the years.

"I feel both privileged and humbled to have been able to work closely with so many caring and immensely supportive people, including yourselves as parents, the staff, LAB and Trust members and other professionals, practitioners and members of the local community."

Hayley Harrison was appointed the new headteacher in September this year.

Hayley Harrison, the new headteacher at Caversham Heights Primary School, part of the Bellevue Place Academy Trust.Hayley Harrison, the new headteacher at Caversham Heights Primary School, part of the Bellevue Place Academy Trust. (Image: Bellevue Place Academy Trust)

Mrs Harrison said: "Karen has done an amazing job of establishing the school and laying such strong foundations.

"This has been achieved with the wonderful support and drive from the founding parents, and I can’t wait to help the school to evolve and become truly exceptional in the next few years."

BPAT is a London based trust made up of 11 schools, including Whiteknights Primary in Earley, Rivermead Primary in Woodley, and Evendons Primary in Wokingham.