New headteacher for Ninfield

But the arctic weather just about held off on Tuesday and now Chris Brown is settling in and looking forward to an "exciting" future.

He comes to Ninfield having worked in five schools and was deputy head at St Paul's in St Leonards and a school in Heathfield.

"It is exciting," he commented this week.

"This really is an excellent school. There are still challenges obviously, and it is exciting for the future. The school is so lovely...you can feel the ethos as you walk in, because everyone is so welcoming - the parents, children and staff."

There are currently 187 children at Ninfield CE school with a staff of approximately 25. Chris took over from Karen Bye and said he was very "proud" when he realised he had been approved for the post.

He realises the new job is "very different" from the work he did in St Leonards.

"With a big school you don't tend to know the children and their parents so well...Here I think it is important as head teacher to be seen, and to be out and about.

"This school is really the hub of the community - I think the role of the village school is central to the community. And that is something I want to embrace - raising and maintaining the profile of the school in the community.

"I think people need to know me and to feel comfortable. Education is a partnership between parents and the school.

"It is important that the parents feel comfortable here in school so that we can work together as a team for the best interests of the children."

This was not his first week at Ninfield, because he spent time there during last term, but his first official day as head was a worrying one because of bad weather conditions.

"I was very concerned I would have to shut yesterday with the weather. When I was driving here on Monday I thought it would be ironic to have to shut the school to the children on my first day."

Now 37, he went into teaching because he realised he loved working with children having done a geology and oceanography based degree.

"I used to go to work as support in a school teaching geology and enjoyed working with children so much. Every day is different - every day is exciting and challenging. Really you are shaping the future - that is a fantastic responsibility and challenge."

His plan is to continue the good work at the school, and he said: "There are always improvements you can make at a school, but this at the moment is a very good school. I want to maintain all the good work that has already been done here, but I want to start moving towards the future...For me the aim is every child achieving their potential in every area of the curriculum."