A HEADTEACHER was greeted by flower-waving crowds when she arrived for her last day in a silver Rolls-Royce.

After 25 years, Dame Sheila Wallis retired from Davison High School for Girls in Worthing, where she started her career as a PE teacher.

As she got out of the car, which staff and pupils had secretly organised to pick her up from home, she was handed dozens of red carnations.

Dame Sheila said it was a send-off to remember.

She said: "I am overwhelmed by this welcome. It's just so special."

Dame Sheila is one of West Sussex's most respected headteachers.

She was made a Dame in the New Year's honours list and was last month honoured with a lifetime achievement award in the BT Teaching Awards 2002.

Hundreds of children have been inspired by her enthusiasm and many returned to the school during the last week to say goodbye at special events to mark her retirement.

Dame Sheila started as a PE teacher at the school before rising to become head in 1988.

She has overseen many changes at the school, which has doubled in size in the past decade.

During her time as head, Dame Sheila has helped raise standards from 30 per cent of pupils gaining five GCSEs at grade A to C to 75 per cent.

When she received her lifetime achievement award, the judges commented: "On meeting her it was apparent she is as excited about teaching now as she no doubt was when she first began."

Dame Sheila has initiated many schemes at the school, among them introducing a creche for children of staff members to help recruitment and staff retention.

More recently, she helped the school raise funds for a "techno bus" to be used by pupils and the community to learn IT skills.

Chairman of governors Margaret Hayden said:

"In her 14 years as headteacher she has upheld the traditions and Christian ethos of the school and promoted all that is best in education.

"Although we will miss her, her presence will be felt around school for many years to come."

Della West takes over as headteacher in September.