THE new headmaster at Loretto School has set out his vision for the future of his students.

Dr Graham Hawley, who took over the post this month, has moved into the school’s residence with his wife Rachel and their two children.

The former headmaster at Kelly College in Devon, Dr Hawley is looking forward to helping students through their academic years.

And he says, his role is not just to achieve the best exam results.

Dr Hawley said: “My aim for all pupils is that they are prepared for the whole of the rest of their lives.

“What is important is that children achieve the best they can and I will always celebrate whatever grades they achieve as long as they have tried their hardest.

“Good academic results alone do not equate to a rounded education and I want all Lorettonians to develop their leadership qualities and grow in self-esteem and confidence.

“This can be achieved through a wide variety of co-curricular opportunities encompassing, music, sport, drama, outdoor education, debating, academic enrichment and a whole host of other activities.” Loretto started its term celebrating another successful year of exam results which were well above the national average.

It has achieved the value added statistic of being placed in the top seven per cent of schools nationally for increasing students’ grades by about half a grade at A level, over and above results that their baseline testing suggests they would achieve.

And Dr Hawley believes the size of the school and time spent with the students ensures it thrives both in and out of the classroom.

Both he and wife Rachel expect to be on the sidelines of school sporting events each weekend, as well as supporting students during the academic week.

Dr Hawley said: “First-class pastoral care helps to ensure that our children are happy and happy children thrive. “We are fortunate at Loretto that the scale of our school – 430 pupils in the senior school – means we are able to offer a very wide range of subjects and activities whilst still fostering a family feel where every child is well known and knows most others.”