PUPILS with a thirst for knowledge and staff with a passion for teaching makes Hillside Community First School the perfect place for youngsters thrive.

The new headteacher Jeremy Harrison, who took up the post in September last year, has been busy making his mark at the Verwood school.

“It has always been a good school but this year we have made quite a lot of changes,” he said.

“We have got some new staff and we have a whole new curriculum this year. We have taken on the new national curriculum but are keeping elements of the old one.

“It’s a more challenging curriculum to move our children forward but still make sure they get the exciting activity and buzz from their learning.”

But Mr Harrison, who was previously the head at St Mary's in West Moors, said as well as ensuring pupils perform well academically, he hopes to provide them with well-rounded education and teach them good values.

He said: “I don’t want to see the school turn into an exam factory.”

Tucked away on the edge of the New Forest, the school, which now has around 250 pupils. benefits from beautiful grounds as well brand new state-of-the-art facilities.

The ICT suite has undergone a complete refurbishment, funded using money raised by the PTA, and a brand new kitchen has recently been fitted.

Mr Harrison said: “All the computers are running Windows 8 and now we can get a whole class in there. It’s really improved the children’s learning.”

He added: “We have just put in a new kitchen for producing hot school meals. The lunches here are great – I eat them myself.”

In the near-distant future Mr Harrison said he hopes to install more computers in the classrooms and introduce iPads to the school.

Following his arrival last year, he said he has been welcomed with open arms and is enjoying his new challenge.

He said: “The staff have been very welcoming and the children have been very friendly. I think we have all got a good understanding of what we will be doing next and where we need to improve.

“I find looking back at my career, having been in education for nearly 30 years, I have changed my job every five years or so.

“I like a fresh challenge and this is a challenge for me because it’s a bigger school.

“I’m enjoying myself more now than I have done in a long time.”

The school prides itself on its strong links with the local community and aims to install strong values to its students.

Mr Harrison said: “The children are the biggest asset to the school. They are wonderful. They come here ready to learn and they are very well behaved.

“They have a great thirst for knowledge and the parents are very supportive -they are committed to helping their children be the best they can be.

“It’s a very special place to work with a great team and great children.”