SIR Thomas Picton School in Haverfordwest is to have a new headteacher.

Joan Bessant retired this summer and Dr Nicholas Poole will take over the helm of the 1,200 pupil school in September.

Dr Poole is currently deputy headteacher at Bishop Vaughan School in Swansea.

"I am delighted to have been appointed as the new headteacher of Sir Thomas Picton School. I have met many of the staff, governors, pupils and parents and they have all made me feel very welcome," he said.

"STP is a great school and I am looking forward to working with everyone connected with it – staff, students, parents, governors and all stakeholders alike.

"I am very pleased to have been given the opportunity to build on the school's many achievements and am looking forward to leading the school through and beyond the next phase of its development.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Bessant for all of her hard work, dedication and commitment to the school and would also like to wish her well during her retirement."

Dr Poole, who is from Newport, attended Newport High School before reading physics with mathematics at London University, where he obtained a First Class BSc Honours.

He completed his PhD doctorate in optoelectronics at London and Oxford Universities.

Dr Poole's career began as a teacher of graduates in an industrial research centre involved with the manufacture and design of microelectronic components. He then became a principal lecturer of physics and mathematics at the University of Glamorgan and started his teaching career as a teacher of physics at Cardinal Newman School, Pontypridd.

After moving through the positions of head of physics, head of science and assistant headteacher, he became a deputy headteacher and has been at Bishop Vaughan School for the past eight years.

Joan Bessant had been headteacher at STP since 2007.

Councillor Ken Rowlands, Cabinet Member for Education praised the departing head teacher and said she had had given outstanding service to her pupils and local community.

"To impart knowledge and inspire young minds is a noble calling. I thank Mrs Bessant for her service and warmly welcome the arrival of Dr Poole," he said.