A father who stepped into the role of school governor after the previous chairman won the lottery is retiring after 14 years.

Graham Taylor said his time as chairman of governors at Hertswood Academy and Hertswood Lower School has been "happy and exceptionally rewarding".

The 61-year-old was offered the position after chairman Bill Moir stood down after cashing in his winning ticket.

Mr Taylor joined the Borehamwood school at a time when Hertswood Upper School, as it was then known, had a bad reputation and parents would actively avoid sending their children there.

But with the help of “dedicated" headteachers and colleagues on the governing board, it has now been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.

Mr Taylor said: “People were voting with their feet when choosing a school and would actively avoid Hertswood. It was a poor set of circumstances and we had a lot of empty spaces.

“It took a long time to improve that situation and today, it’s almost unrecognisable from what it was.

“Our next step is to become outstanding because that’s what local children deserve. They deserve the best.”

Mr Taylor is resigning at a time where everything is changing for Hertswood as bosses prepare to demolish the upper site, in Thrift Farm Lane and relocate students to the Cowley Hill grounds.

They are currently applying for planning permission to build houses in Thrift Farm Lane. If plans are approved, building could begin in 2016.

The Ark Theatre - which cost £2.4m when it was built in 2009 - is also due to be demolished, but will be replaced with a “first class” community centre.

Mr Taylor added: “One of the biggest challenges has been the school buildings because being across two sites hasn’t been practical.

“Everyone is excited and this will be very good for the town. Back in the 1990s everyone hoped we’d get a new school but we got two refurbished schools which weren’t fit for purpose.

“The changes have been significant and the challenges have been major, but we’re nearly there.

“Doing it with private sector money from building houses is the right thing.”

Looking back on his time at Hertswood, Mr Taylor said his favourite memories are from the annual presentation awards.

“That always brought home to me why I did it, because you’d see students achieve good things. They work so hard and show some great skills – whether it be academically or in other ways.

“I take with me the commitment of the teachers and head teachers throughout the years who have given the arm and their legs to improve things here.

“We’re so blessed in Borehamwood. It’s been a pleasure to work here but I feel now is the perfect time to resign.”

His successor is Martin Doe, the current vice chairman.