SEEING a potential for "even greater things" is what attracted the new head teacher of a high achieving Brentwood school to the role.
Richard Wilkin took over the helm of Brentwood Ursuline Catholic High School at the start of this term and is quickly getting to know staff, pupils and the daily routines.
Having spent most of his teaching career working in Catholic schools, Mr Wilkin was immediately interested in the vacancy at the Queens Road school.
Mr Wilkin told the Gazette: "I was attracted by a number of things; the tradition of the school, the vibrant music and arts dimension and its excellent reputation.
"When I came to visit I was immediately impressed by the number of activities going on.
"I saw straight away that this school has a very hard-working staff and potential for even greater things.
"In essence I want to continue doing the things we do well and for which we have a good reputation.
"I think that the academic results that we achieve already put us into the top bracket of schools but naturally there is always room to be better.
"I want to ensure teaching at the Ursuline is of the highest possible quality so our students can achieve to the best of their abilities.
"I want our academic life to be very strong.
"I want the music and arts life of the school to be very strong and I want to continue offering girls the best possible education so they can be leaders in society."
The school selects 10 per cent of its intake on musical ability and Mr Wilkin envisages that this policy will continue.
He said: "Those pupils have their music tuition paid for by the school and have prominent positions in school music groups."
Drawing from a wide catchment area, the school is oversubscribed. Mr Wilkin praised parents who, despite often living some distance away, are ardent supporters of the school.
He said: "It is remarkable how committed our parents are to support their daughters at BUCHS.
"Typically, commitment to Catholic education is very strong. Parents see that along with academic excellence there is a need for education of the whole person and I believe that Catholic education has always done that.
"It has withstood so many changes over the years and maintained its values and its excellence."
This is Mr Wilkin's second headship.
Having spent most of his teaching career in Southampton and Portsmouth, Mr Wilkin moved eight years ago to take up a deputy headship at St Edmunds College in Hertfordshire before taking over the helm of St Bede's school in Cambridge, a joint Catholic and C of E school, in 2007.
One of his first roles at the school is overseeing the finishing touches to the new sports hall, which is expected to be up and running later this term.
He said students were very excited at the prospect of using the facility.
"The hall gives our students the facilities that have lacked for some time. We already do extremely well in sport and now this can be recognised by giving our students a fantastic venue in which they can play sports in comfort all year round."
