NAILSEA School has announced the appointment of a new headteacher who will take over on September 1.

Chris Wade, is currently the head of secondary at Bridgwater College Academy, and will be taking over from David New, who has led the flagship school for eight years.

In a letter to parents and pupils, Sally-Ann Hancock, chair of governors, said: “After a robust and challenging interview programme involving seven excellent shortlisted candidates from a very strong field, the governing body unanimously voted to appoint Mr Christopher Wade as headteacher of Nailsea School.

“Mr Wade is currently head of secondary phase at Bridgwater College Academy and made an exceptionally positive impression on all the many people, governors, staff and students alike, involved in the interview process.

“He will be a worthy successor, able to build on Mr New’s many achievements and take the school forward in our core purpose of providing the best possible education for the young people of Nailsea and our surrounding area.”

Mr Wade is married with two children and enjoys many sports and interests including coaching rugby at Gordano RFC and he is also a helmsman with Portishead Lifeboat.

Chris served in the Royal Navy as a marine engineer artificer for eight years before attending the University of Wales Institute Cardiff and graduating with a degree in sport and physical education and a PGCE in physical education in 2001.

Since then he has taught in three schools in the South West.