A NEW head teacher has started at an infant school in Eastleigh.

Shakespeare Infant School in Shakespeare Road, that teaches children of 4-7 years-old, and has more than 270 pupils, has welcomed the new headteacher Nikki Wilson.

Nikki has worked in education for 23 years, and has replaced former head, Jane Skinner, who held the role for 18 years and left earlier this year.

Nikki said: “I’m really excited to come here.

“I knew when I came to have a look around in February, as soon as I walked through the door, this is definitely a place I can see myself leading.

“There is a really good team of people here, and we want to do the best for our children and we are willing to do whatever it takes.”

This is a challenging period for parents, children and teachers with new Covid guidelines in place.

“Our children are incredibly resilient, they’ve been very happy coming back, very calm as well.

“I haven’t had the chance to meet the parents face to face, so I think people have been incredibly positive about having a new head teacher during these difficult times.”

The last Ofsted report for the school was done in 2009, when the school, led by Jane, received an outstanding status and Nikki says she wants to build on the success of the school.

“This is an outstanding school, but I think we need to accept that we haven’t had an OSTED inspection for 11 years, and the framework has changed significantly, so what was outstanding in 2009, is not the same criteria now.

“I’ve come in with an attitude that we build on the really good quality teaching that’s here.”