A packed playground party saw 270 pupils, former students, staff and parents bid a fond farewell to a popular headteacher after 18 years at the helm.

To celebrate the efforts of Diana Lyness, head of Kew College since 1991, 500 cupcakes were baked with a blue and white theme - the school colours - for her leaving party last Tuesday.

Mrs Lyness was praised by many visitors to the Cumberland Road school for her relentless enthusiasm and commitment and for helping youngsters grow in ability and confidence as they mature from the age of three in nursery to 11 in year 6, when they leave for secondary school.

Mrs Lyness said: “It is a privilege to watch my pupils develop as we support and challenge them to fulfil their potential and it is a credit to my staff that the majority go on to their first choice senior schools often with scholarships.

“Another joy is that some of my earliest pupils have since become parents and are sending their own children here, which I consider a wonderful recommendation.”

Celia Beverley, a former school governor and parent, said: “Diana has the special gift of building those relationships, based on mutual respect - with children, parents, teachers, support staff, governors and the wider community - which have given Kew College its strength and unique character.”

The school was founded in Cumberland Road in 1953 by Mrs Hamilton-Spry and 30 years later became a charitable trust and expanded into two Victorian houses.

Mrs Lyness, a history and music teacher, became only the second headteacher at Kew College and, in 1992, merged the two properties as well as building a further two buildings.

The Octagon, art and science building was opened in 2000 and the state-of-the-art Sedum Building, completed in 2007 and which has an eco-friendly seeded roof, provides IT facilities, rooms for music lessons and a performance space.

After 18 years in charge, Mrs Lyness admitted it would be very difficult saying goodbye - but was looking forward to taking more art classes in Florence.

She said: “I am so proud of our school, it is a happy, lively and exciting place and I will miss everyone so much but look forward to spending some time in Italy and having more time with the grandchildren.”

Anne Dobell, currently at Bute House School, in Hammersmith and Fulham, is due to take over as headteacher from September 1.