PARENTS of children at St Anthony's Convent School in Cinderford have started a petition to save head teacher Sister Celestine from retiring at Christmas.
Sister Celestine has worked at the school for 40 years, has been the head for 28 years and is a well-loved member of the local community.
However, rumours are circulating that she may be asked to retire at the end of term.
A Save Our Sister petition on the social networking site Facebook has recruited 97 members in just a few days.
The news follows an excellent Ofsted report which praises the outstanding provision for pupil's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
It says: "Children's personal development is outstanding. They work very well with adults, in small groups or independently, showing high regard for other people's views and property.
"They quickly settle into the day-to-day routines of the school and are confident, enthusiastic and eager learners.
"This is because of the warm and welcoming atmosphere promoted by adults and older pupils, the bright and colourful accommodation and the appropriate range of good quality equipment."
Former pupil Steve Brownson of Cinderford also trained as a teacher at St Anthony's.
She said: "St Anthony's is at the heart of the Forest and Sister is the heart of the school.
"Everyone has such fantastic memories of the school and it would be such a shame to lose her after all these years, especially before the 2010 jubilee.
"Sister still remembers us all by our names and I wouldn't be who I am or where I am today if it wasn't for the education as a child and the training as an adult I received at St Anthonys!"
Sister Celestine is not taking part in the campaign as she is under a vow of obedience to her order, the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Glasgow.
At the time of publication the Glasgow sisters were unavailable for comment.