THE new headteacher of a Basingstoke secondary school swapped a career in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for teaching maths.

Nicola Pearce has now taken her first leadership role at The Vyne Community School, having previously been the deputy headteacher at Harrow Way Community School in Andover.

The mother-of-one has an interesting background,originally worked for the MOD in contract negotiation, before deciding to change careers following the birth of her daughter.

She has now been teaching for 14 years, working her way up to senior leadership.

It was her hobby of horse riding which made her realise she might enjoy teaching.

“I always taught riding and I get so much fulfilment when someone does something they didn’t think they could do, that’s so rewarding,” she said.

“So, after I left the MOD when I had my daughter I thought, change of career, let’s embrace the fact I enjoy teaching.”

Nicola said it was the community spirit at The Vyne which attracted her to the post, adding: “I’m really passionate about the fact this school has community in its name. I have come from a community school and that’s the function of the school is to serve its community.

“There’s something about The Vyne, it has a sense of community and they take care of each other. That’s why this is the right school for me. We are about family. I have had a chance to see what’s special about the school and every time it’s family and community and taking care of each other.”

But she is not complacent about the future, and within her first two weeks has already looked at making improvements.

“I’m not the most patient person in terms of when I want to see improvements, so we are focusing on two or three areas in terms of curriculum. We are keen to broaden the curriculum.”

This includes offering product design and graphics as part of the design and technology option, which currently focuses on food technology.

Nicola hopes to act as a positive role model for her students, encouraging them to aim high, and work with other headteachers to improve education across the town.

This was apparent during the interview process when she gave an assembly to students having competed in the British Dressage National Championships the same day, where she came 12th.

“I’m trying to say dream big and don’t let anything get in your way. I think that our young people, the public think that they don’t have high aspirations. They don’t know how to realise them, that’s our job is to help them realise how to get there. Most children if you ask them at an early age what they want to do they will have a high aspiration but as they get older, they don’t because they don’t know how to get there.”

She said everyone at The Vyne had been welcoming and supportive since she started earlier this month, and she has been impressed by some of the work she has seen, including a team of students who competed in a LEGO competition at Winchester Science Centre, designing and building a robot which won them the ‘best project’ category. The school is becoming a popular choice in the town, with more admissions for September than can be accepted.

Nicola now hopes to work alongside other Basingstoke headteachers to improve education across the whole town.

“Perhaps historically there has been a bit of competition between the schools,” she said.

“But for the good of Basingstoke we have to work together for the best outcome for the children. We need to keep children in Basingstoke, and we need to improve education.”