A NEW sixth form block and a packed diary of events greeted the new headmaster of Ermysted's Grammar School in Skipton.

Michael Evans, formerly of St Olave's Grammar School in London, took over at the start of term from Graham Hamilton, who retired at the end of eight years as headteacher, describing his time at the school as the 'pinnacle of his career'.

Mr Evans said: “Everyone has been so welcoming. Ermysted's is such an easy place to get to know new people."

He said he had been particularly struck by the students’ good manners and friendly demeanour.

"Everywhere I go, I'm greeted with a smile and a breezy ‘Good morning.The transition has been very easy for me, Mr Hamilton left the school in great shape and was kind enough to ensure that I was able to hit the ground running in September," he said.

The start of the new school year has seen the opening of the school's new sixth form block and the start of the new season of fundraising events by the parents association.

Mr Evans has also introduced a regular newsletter and plans to overhaul the school's website.

“September is always such an exciting time of year in a school and there is so much going on at Ermysted’s at the moment. The Parents’ Association is already filling the school calendar with a number of impressive events and the students are settling in well to their brand new Sixth Form centre - its wonderful for the older students to have somewhere of their own to study."

The school's GCSE and A level results this summer once again put it amongst the highest in the country, but Mr Evans said he was keen to ensure it did not rest on its laurels.

“I'm delighted for the boys who received their results this summer and offer my congratulations to them all, however I want every student to fulfil their potential, not just in terms of exam results but also in terms of their wider development", he said,

"Academic success is important but so is the development of character, resilience and self confidence. Our goal is, not only, to ensure that every student leaves Ermysted's with a clutch of good qualifications, but also to prepare the boys well for the challenges and opportunities of later life.”