WHEN students at Sherfield School return after the Easter break, they will be greeted by a new man in charge.

Nick Fisher joins the independent school from Truro School in Cornwall, where he was deputy headmaster for seven years.

Prior to his role in the South West, Mr Fisher spent 16 years at Rugby School in the Midlands, where he was head of science.

The new headteacher brings a passion for physics and the performing arts to the school, having studied the former at Durham University and acquired extensive acting, producing and directing experience both within and outside his teaching career.

Mr Fisher said of his new appointment: “It is a great privilege. It is a forward-looking school with a traditional heritage in a beautiful house and grounds, with a rich family history.

“I feel very fortunate to be inheriting a flourishing school; the recent outstanding inspection report is a tribute to the hard work of the staff and pupils. I am particularly pleased to be working with my team on developing a long-term growth strategy, leading through innovation with ourteaching and learning and reinforcing our global connections.”

During a 30-year teaching career which began with a PGCE at Cambridge, Mr Fisher has worked on major school building projects and collaborated with schools and universities on national curriculum innovation.

In 2014 he established the first Ogden Educational Partnership in Cornwall, creating mutually supportive staff training programmes and student conferences between independent schools and academies.

Sherfield is part of international schools group GEMS Education. The group’s CEO Jay Varkey said: “Nick brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, and is incredibly passionate about expanding the excellent opportunities already available to pupils at Sherfield, in particular the partnerships programme.”