NEW head teacher John Steel took the reins of Prince Henry's Grammar School this week and is looking forward to taking it into the next millennium.

Mr Steel, 48, was at the helm from Monday - the first day of the new term - after spending three years as head at Ralph Thoresby in Roundhay.

A teacher for 26 years in and around Leeds, Mr Steel said he was delighted to be at Prince Henry's.

"I cannot wait to get started. This is a successful school and I am looking forward to taking over," he said. "I have a school with a lot of potential and one thing I picked up on straight away was the potential of the youngsters here."

Mr Steel said he was also looking forward to working with a 'committed staff to make Prince Henry's even more successful'.

A keen rugby spectator and sports fan, Mr Steel plays badminton and likes to travel with his wife and four children. "I try to pack in as much as possible," he said.

Now he is busy settling in and getting to know his new school. "I only had a few brief moments at the school before because my time was limited with the job at Ralph Thoresby.

"Now I am looking forward to giving my full-time commitment to Otley," he said.

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