THIS week pupils arriving back to begin a new term at The Ridgeway School can look forward to a more stable future.

Steven Colledge has taken over the headship at the Wroughton secondary school.

And to support him is a brand new management team.

Mr Colledge, 51, who is married to Churchfields School teacher Anna Colledge, has three teenage daughters and lives in Cirencester.

For the last five years he has been headteacher at the Grange School and Sports College in Warmley, near Bristol.

"I wanted the challenge of a bigger school which is what led me to apply for the job," he said.

"It is clear that The Ridgeway School has a very hard working staff and governing body.

"Pupils have been very courteous in guiding me around the building and everyone has shown considerable interest in my views of the school."

Mr Colledge says he wants to move the school forward and increase its already successful record.

"I am committed to ensuring that The Ridgeway School should continue to be a vibrant learning community where success is valued and everyone leaves with appropriate accreditation.

"I want all learners at the school and people in the surrounding community to be proud of our high standards of achievement, behaviour and personal development.

"We'll be doing a lot of work making sure the curriculum is appropriate for the future."

Mr Colledge's appointment has given the school back the stability it lost when Elizabeth Cooper resigned from the school in July 2005.

She had been on an extended period of sick leave since May last year.

In her absence Chris Walton and Sue Norman, deputy heads, jointly shared the role of acting head.

Both teachers left the school this summer.

Mrs Norman has retired while Mr Walton has taken on the role of one of Swindon Council's 14 to 19 curriculum co-ordinators.

Another big change this year is that the school will no longer have a deputy headteacher.

Instead three assistant heads, current teachers Ron Piper, Gwyn Newman and Phil Bevan, will complete the senior management team.

"I have been able to shape the senior management team around me," added Mr Colledge.