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In September, students at Wreake Valley Community College started another year. Welcoming them back after a long relaxing break was Mr Tony Pinnock, the new Principal who succeeded Mrs Helen McDermott at the end of last term. Mr Pinnock himself returns to Wreake Valley after a long absence; he used to be a student here and one of the reasons for choosing Wreake Valley was because he wanted to give something back. I asked Mr Pinnock what his impressions of Wreake Valley were when he arrived for an interview several months ago. He told me that he was very impressed with the effort that has gone into putting classroom displays together and, in particular, key words being posted on the walls. He also felt that the students were well-behaved and well ordered. One of the greatest challenges that schools around the country are facing is how to continue improving standards with a tight budget. Certainly, this is what Mr Pinnock feels is the greatest challenge facing him during his time at Wreake Valley, however, he believes that Wreake Valley is up to this challenge. There is a lot of potential at Wreake Valley, says Mr Pinnock, and he is looking forward to watching the students achieve their potential and ambitions, which is what Principals up and down the country long for. He was also attracted to Wreake Valley College because of the type of school it is; an 11-19 secondary school which is unique in Leicestershire. Mr Pinnock has a ten year vision and he believes that in this time, Wreake Valley College will continue to improve and that its place in the league tables will reflect this; his vision is to be at the top of those tables and to have a college that is oversubscribed in terms of pupils applying. In its last OFSTED report, Wreake Valley achieved ‘good with outstanding’ and Mr Pinnock says that it would be great if that report became ‘outstanding’ throughout. Needless to say, a great deal of change is to come at Wreake Valley, but I believe that these changes will benefit the whole school and get it the recognition it deserves.