Tributes were paid to a Wellington-born headteacher as she retired at the end of term.

Tracey Khodabandehloo has been headmistress of Queen’s College Junior School, Pre-Prep and Nursery in Taunton for the past ten years.

The daughter of well-known local couple Graham and Pat Sprague, she went to Rockwell Green Primary School and then Court Fields Secondary Modern before going on to SCAT in Taunton for her A-levels.

Mrs Khodabandehloo joined Queen’s from Bishop Henderson CofE School in Taunton where she had been head since 2003.

Before that, her first headship was at Trull CofE School, which she joined in 1995.

Queen’s College head teacher Dr Lorraine Earps paid tribute to Mrs Khodabandehloo in her address to the Senior Speech Day.

She said: “I really wish the end to your time at Queen’s could have been calmer, less stressful and more celebratory. Thank you for everything you have done over your time with us.

“We will never forget you and you will forever be linked to and part of our community.”

Chairman of Governors Mark Edwards also praised Mrs Khodabandehloo as he addressed the Junior Speech Day.

“She has been a dedicated member of the Queen’s family and has worked tirelessly to improve the school, its outcomes and what it can deliver for the children.

“She is hugely respected by staff and loved by the children, and many will have fond memories of their headmistress.

The various Junior and Pre-Prep ‘bubbles’ at Queen’s staged a surprise farewell to Mrs Khodabandehloo on the penultimate day of term last Tuesday.

She said afterwards: “Queen’s is a wonderful community which will always hold a place close to my heart and has left me with many happy memories.”