PAUL Smith, the new head at Hereford Cathedral School, has a hard act to follow.

The 45 year old who has just arrived from Portsmouth Grammar School made the comment after the announcement of the school's GCSE results.

Every pupil at the school gained at least five GCSE passes at grades A-C and more than one in four were at either grade A* or A.

Chorister Liam Danchie had special reason to celebrate with a clean sweep of A* grades and the accolade of being in the top 10 in the country for music.

Academic success is important for the zoology graduate from Manchester University, who spent three years researching the effects of odour on vole populations before starting his teaching career at Rugby School.

But the man who takes over from Dr Howard Tomlinson believes the school is about much more than just good exam results.

"I want us to continue to do well at exams and to help ensure as many of our students as possible can go to the university of their choice. This is something we have been very good at in the past," said Mr Smith.

"School is also about preparing people for future life and giving them a broad base of experience that will be useful in future years."

He is introducing a new compulsory general studies course in which professionals who are not teachers will be encouraged to come into school.

"Students who are interested in the law should get to hear from practising lawyers, doctors and medics will be encouraged to work with students who want to study medicine and I want journalists to talk to pupils interested in a media career and so on."

Mr Smith also has a slightly different perspective on sport to his cricket-mad predecessor. "Sport is about team building, socialising and having fun whatever the ability of the player.

"I was not very good at sport and too often it is a humiliation for those who are not natural sportsmen and women and it should not be this way."

Mr Smith's hobbies involve the natural world: "I enjoy cycling and walking in the countryside and the mountains and am a keen bird watcher."

When he is not working, the new head intends to enjoy the countryside with his wife and two daughters, who will also be pupils at the school.

"One of the attractions of working here is that it is a family school," Mr Smith added.