MIKE Spinks, the man described by education secretary Michael Gove as “the best headmaster of the best grammar school in the country” has retired.

Mr Spinks joined Urmston Grammar School as headmaster in 1999 and is the longest serving head of the school since its amalgamation in 1988.

His achievements include two “Outstanding” OfSTED inspections, the latest of which was in 2008. Under his headship, the school became a science college in 2004 and is now a nationally recognised centre of excellence for the teaching of Science.

Additionally, Urmston was awarded Languages second specialism and has been identified as one of the country’s 'high performing specialist colleges.'

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The school gained academy status in September 2010, the first in Trafford and the seventh school in England to make the change. Under Mr Spinks, the school’s status has not just been recognised internationally, the school’s work having been presented at the 2009 Chinese International Education Conference in Beijing, which Mike addressed.

The new Academy and Mr Spinks, as principal, were singled out for mention at a presentation at 10 Downing Street, which he attended.