The new headteacher at Kenilworth School has said it is a "really exciting time" to be taking over.

Darren Nicholas was announced as the new head at the town's only secondary school in March, taking over from Hayden Abbott who will now focus on his new role of CEO of Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust.

Describing himself as a "lifelong learner," Mr Nicholas has taught in schools across the world, but said Kenilworth School offers something very different to his previous positions.

"Of course, the school has got an outstanding reputation and deservedly so," he told Nub News. 

"But for me the real driver was it being the only secondary school in Kenilworth, which means you can create that community-focused nature to education.

"I have never experienced that before as there has always been some sort of competition where I have worked previously. 

"Making sure the school is the hub of the community is vital."

Having trained as a teacher straight after leaving university, Mr Nicholas took up his first teaching role in Japan in the 1990s.

After three years he returned to Exeter and taught mainly history for 15 years, as well as being a head of year. 

He then moved to Guildford and took up his first senior leadership position, going on to becoming a deputy head and then head teacher in nearby Slough.

The new Kenilworth School on Glasshouse Lane will open fully in September (image by James Smith)

Mr Nicholas was then given the chance to run the British International School of Boston for five years before heading to Italy to lead the International School of Milan.

He said working in such a variety of schools had made a real difference to his outlook on education.

"For young people today, it is important to consider how different the world is for them compared to when I was young," the father-of-two added. 

"Travel is easy, communication is easy, so it is a truly global world they live in. 

"The fact that I have been able to teach in three different continents and see different ways of doing things, I do think has been really important in giving me that holistic approach which is really important."

While he will officially take over in September, Mr Nicholas has been working at Kenilworth School over the past few months to get to know the staff and some of the pupils.

He has also taken the time to get to know the new Glasshouse Lane site, and says his current focus is on making sure the transition to the new building is as smooth as possible.

"To have a facility like this puts the school at a huge advantage," he explained. 

"I haven't seen another school in the UK which has the facilities that Kenilworth students will have. 

"While it is important to have the exceptional teachers we do, the environment adds a lot of course. 

"I am aware it has been over a 10-year process and I have jumped in at the last minute, so I haven't had any major impact, but I can really help with the logistics and getting that transition as smooth as possible for both staff and students."

And while the move is clearly the priority for the school over the coming months, Mr Nicholas said the long-term plan is to make sure Kenilworth pupils continue to receive an outstanding education.

"Every child matters, and we are there to provide education for all," he added. 

"Everything is in place for the school to continue to be outstanding. All I really need to do is add that external perspective, make a few tweaks and help with adapting to the new site to keep that trend going. 

"Schools that rest on their laurels are ones that slip, so we need to keep pushing barriers to help our young people.

"It is not just about exam results. 

"Of course, they are important but it is more about making sure students are prepared for adult life and that they are equipped to process everything that comes with it."