Head's ambitious vision (From Stroud News and Journal)

Head's ambitious vision

A NEW headteacher in Stroud is aiming to capture the hearts and minds of his pupils as he steers the school into a new era.

Former deputy headteacher, Roger Lock, took over as head of Marling School at the start of January this year following the death of headteacher Dr Graham Lowe in September.

After graduating at Leeds University, Mr Lock, 49, came to Marling, Stroud's boys grammar school, in the early 1980s following a spell of teaching and translation work in Sweden.

"I didn't want to follow the pattern of school, university, school," he explained.

"I worked in Sweden for four years because I wanted to see a bit of the world before committing myself to a long term career."

Although his new post takes him away from teaching economics AS and A level he is determined that it will not get in the way of his relationship with the students.

"I have resolved that by keeping an open door policy the students will always be able to come and see me," he explained.

"The school is here for the students, not the other way round and as a school we are looking for a closer partnership between parents and pupils in the school.

"We aim to raise social as well as academic standards across the board."

With two children, Josh, 9 and Pippa, 6, Mr Lock understands the need for excellence in education.

This year the school will be piloting a fast track scheme enabling selected pupils to take their GCSEs a year early in year 10.

And with the Post-16 Consortium forging ahead and the ongoing development of the joint Marling and Stroud High School Sixth Form well in hand, Mr Lock's vision for Marling is both ambitious and achievable.

"I have a great love of the school and a great belief in it," he said.

"Marling has a great sense of tradition but we also have to move on.

"Children only get one chance at this and I intend they get that chance here."