USK Church in Wales Primary School is preparing for life with a new headteacher, as Jared Nolan gets set to move to a new post.

The school has been through a lot over the past three years, with previous headteacher Claire Gething being suspended from her position in 2011.

The former headteacher was banned at a recent General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) hearing of ever holding a management role at a school again after being found guilty of "unacceptable professional conduct".

She was removed from her position by Monmouthshire County Council following "perceived financial irregularities," said the council.

Her replacement, Mr Nolan, said being headteacher at Usk had been a "mammoth journey".

"It was apparent as soon as I walked through the front door that there was an awful lot to do," he said.

"As a team the school has come through a lot. But now the teaching is good and focussed towards one goal. It is time for someone else to come in with fresh eyes to a well structured and organised school."

The former semi-professional rugby player was deputy headteacher for a short period before Mrs Gething's suspension, and immediately took on the responsibility of turning the school around.

Since his time in charge, the school has revamped its curriculum, including the way it teaches English and maths. It has also seen a £35,000 investment in IT and is working on projects like a science and environmental laboratory and outdoor classroom.

His new job will see the 44-year-old become the head teacher of Caerleon Endowed school as it prepares to amalgamate both its infants and junior schools.

"Leaving is always sad. This is a great community with delightful children and great staff. But the time is right."

Mr Nolan, who has been teaching for nine years, grew up in Pill in Newport and spent the first 13 years of his career serving with Gwent Police.

"A lot of my colleagues were, and still are, surprised that I've gone into teaching. I worked in child protection for a large amount of my time in the police force, and I got interested in teaching so I could do something to help children.

"I thoroughly enjoy it and I've never regretted my decision. Teaching throws something new at you every day."

With past errors in teaching at Usk Primary School, parents have been expressing their concern at hearing of Mr Nolan's move, since the news broke last week.

The headteacher said: "I understand that parents will have anxiety towards a change at the school, but there are a lot of mechanisms in place now that ensure my replacement is of the highest standard."

Parent Emma Humphreys said: "He's done a lot to get this school back on its feet. My daughter has flourished with him as headteacher and it will be very sad to see him go."