A MUSIC fan and teacher with 32 years of experience of working with young people has taken over at the helm of Seevic College.

Nick Spenceley is the new principal and chief executive at the college, which has campuses in Benfleet and Basildon, and spoke to the Echo at the end of his first week in the job.

After spending seven years at Harlow College as deputy principal, he felt the time was right to move on and described Seevic as the “ideal challenge” for him to progress on to.

He has taken over from former principal Sarah Wright and said he had a “fabulous” first week.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be here,” he said.

“My number one priority is continuing the upward trend in results. Under Sarah’s leadership results steadily improved and reached the best ever level last year with a 97 per cent pass rate for A Levels.

“My personal goal is to see Seevic become an outstanding college with a vibrant community of staff and students providing a first class service for the area.”

A long-awaited £6million revamp of the college campus, in Kiln Road, Benfleet, is now just a matter of days from getting underway.

Contractors ISG will start work on a complete makeover of the site on Tuesday, February 5.

The building, which was built in the Seventies, will be transformed as part of the ambitious plans thathave been made possible thanks to £2million of funding from the Government's Enhanced Renewal Grant and £4million of college reserves.