THE headteacher of a Cricklade infant's school has resigned because she is frustrated with increasing government bureau- cracy.

Nikki Lawrence has been head of St Sampson's Infant School for nine years and has decided to leave teaching after 23 years in the profession.

She says stress caused by continually changing Government policies has had an adverse impact on her health.

But she leaves the job on a high after the Bath Road school received a favourable LEA inspection in January and good Ofsted Reports in 1997 and 2000.

Mrs Lawrence, 44, will leave the job in July after suffering from high blood pressure, palpitations and a low platelet count.

She said: "My decision to leave is no reflection at all on the school, either the children, the parents, the governors or the staff. I adore working here and my years here have been my happiest ever.

"I am sad it has come to this, but I am looking forward to new challenges whatever they may be.

"I've got more bogged down every year with more paperwork and continuous change.

"And the stress is beginning to take its toll on my health so I took a snap decision on my birthday to go out on a high."

Mrs Lawrence started her teaching career in Buckinghamshire but moved to Swin-don in 1987 to work as a special needs teacher in Penhill.

She then became deputy head at Wootton Bassett Infant's School before gaining the headship at St Sampson's.

She said: "After 23 years in teaching, I feel I can't continue. There's always a new initiative coming in and there's no time to allow things to settle. There's no continuity.

"I am a perfectionist at heart and I don't go at things by half, but my cynicism is hampering what needs to be done.

"Who knows, I may come back to teaching one day if I can't bear to be away from small children but right now I need some breathing space.

"In the nine years I have been here, 34 new initiatives have been brought in, I've counted them.

"It has all been from the top down with no real thought for the needs of different children

"Things like the literacy strategy. We knew it wasn't going to work. It has been a thorn in my side.

"It is very prescriptive and outlined how much time to spend on certain areas as well as which words to teach each week.

"As an experienced teacher I knew we were heading for trouble. It wasn't thinking about individual children.

"And we have got to account for targets even at the age of four.

"We needed to change all our teaching system. All my colleagues feel the same. It is just lucky my husband can support me if I don't find another job immediately."

Tim Champion, a Wiltshire County Council spokesman said: "We are naturally disappointed to be losing Nikki and are extremely grateful for all she has done for the children of Cricklade as headteacher.

"We wish her every success for the future."