THE newly-appointed principal at West Somerset Community College in Minehead hopes to raise the profile of its academic success in line with its impressive vocational reputation.

Gaynor Comber, 47, will take the reins in September, succeeding Nick Swann, who is retiring after 17 years in the role.

Mrs Comber joins the college from Sir William Ramsay School in High Wycombe, where the five A*-C pass rate at GCSE level has more than doubled during her seven-year leadership.

She said: “It is a very exciting time at the college and I’m thrilled to be going into my second headship here.

“I want to shout about its academic excellence as much as its vocational training to the rest of the country.

“It is important to recognise that many students are going off to Russell Group universities and everyone here is doing a phenomenal amount of work.

“I want to continue to develop all aspects of success here at a high level – it is about trying to get a balanced view of the college by celebrating both the old and new.

“I look forward to working with students, staff, representatives of partner schools and with the wider West Somerset community to create an educational vision for 21st Century learners.”

Mrs Comber trained as a marine chemist and has since worked in a wide range of rural and urban schools.

Chair of governors Martin McNeill said: “The governing body is delighted to have been able to appoint Mrs Comber from a strong field of candidates.

“Her experience and her determination to raise standards of teaching and learning to the highest possible levels are just what the college needed to build on Nick Swann’s legacy.”