LLANELLI'S Coedcae School has entered a new chapter with the first female head teacher for more than 40 years.

Tracy Senchal has been in post since the start of the new term, and aims to ensure each student leaves the school having achieved the best of their abilities.

A Llanelli girl and former Bryngwyn student, Mrs Senchal was attracted to Coedcae after hearing how highly regarded the school is in the community.

"People choose Coedcae as their school of preference, and it is a true community school," she said. "I came here for a tour, and as soon as I stepped through the doors I could feel the warmth of the community — it is almost tangible.

"I started last week and it has been outstanding. I have been made to feel very welcome by all the staff here and I get the impression that the whole school is behind me."

Mrs Senchal started teaching in 1996 after completing a French and German degree, and was taken on at Cwmtawe School in Pontardawe following a student placement.

Five years on, she became the head of Modern Foreign Languages at Tregib, in Llandeilo, before joining Bishop Gore in 2008 as assistant head teacher.

"I went to London to do a diploma in translation, but I didn't want to be stuck in an office for the rest of my career," she said.

"I fell into teaching the day before the course was starting, and I thought I would give it a go.

"But from the first day I knew it was for me — I loved it."

Despite coming across other vacant head teacher positions, Mrs Senchal admitted the only one she put herself forward for was at Coedcae.

"I was interested in coming back to Llanelli," she said. "Having gone through the education system here, I wanted to give something back to the community.

"I think Coedcae in particular is a school that you hear a lot about — it fits in with my philosophy.

"It's truly comprehensive and there is a broad range of children from all social backgrounds. I like the idea of being in a real comprehensive school."

Mrs Senchal is keen not to dwell on the recent Welsh Government's new school banding system, which placed Coedcae at the bottom of the list of Carmarthenshire schools, and is looking to the future instead.

"That was then, and this is now," she said.

"Every school has areas they need to improve on, and there is no denying that there are areas here that can be built on.

"This is a new chapter and we are looking forward. We know what we need to do, and everyone is working together.

"At this point it isn't about making changes. What I want to do is ensure that all pupils achieve the best of their abilities.

"Intelligence is not defined by postcode, and it's about making sure everyone goes away at 16 having achieved their best."