APRIL 15 signified a key date for Newport Free Grammar School (NFGS) – not just the start of the summer term, but the beginning of a bright, new era for the school.

The arrival of newly appointed headteacher, Gordon Farquhar, promises to bring a rejuvenated attitude to the whole school and community, marking the start of a period of optimism and excitement for NFGS.

Mr Farquhar is extremely optimistic about the school’s prospects and ability to achieve great things.

“Newport Free Grammar School has been a ‘sleeping giant’ for too long,” he said when I sat down to interview him. “This year that giant has started to awaken. Newport is the Academy at the heart of our community – in our 425th year we will demonstrate our ‘aspiration culture’ that will provide this area and the wider world with its success stories and leaders of the future. Now is the time for NFGS to show exactly what it can deliver.”

Mr Farquhar’s past successes made him the ideal candidate to take on the role of headteacher, particularly in this transitional period to Academy status.

With a wealth of experience in every aspect of the school system, from PE teacher to head of year, and most recently deputy principal at Grace Academy in the West Midlands, he is well suited to the school and ready to tackle the challenges his new role will pose.

With an emphasis on the importance of good, clear direction and leadership, teaching and successful, fruitful learning will be paramount. Fresh changes and improvements are already being put into motion, with a new Twitter account in development to provide parents and students with the latest, up-to-date information directly from the school itself. Furthermore, a new blog updated by members of the Senior Leadership Team will give further insight into the progress of Newport in each facet of school life.

As an Academy, Newport will now have a greater, direct choice in terms of the specific curriculum and standards delivered to students. With the ultimate goal to re-establish the school as a sought-after establishment providing the highest quality of education possible, these aspirations set out for the future will be strived for by pupils, teachers and the headteacher collectively.

Newport has made great strides forward under the leadership of Matthew Gibson, and this progress will undoubtedly stand the school in great stead to finish the academic year on a high.

Future years promise to offer students unrivalled opportunities to take advantage of the strong community spirit and togetherness that makes NFGS unique.

Every pupil should be proud to attend a school so rich in tradition and history, an invaluable asset that will make our Academy stand out and excel in years to come.