Headteacher Ffion Evans with some of her pupils at New North Academy in Angel

SINGING in the school assembly may not be top of the hit list for some too-cool-for-school Year 6 types.

But someone who’s come to shake all that up – and will not take no for an answer from any grumblings of “I left my voice at home, miss” – is the new headteacher of New North Academy in Angel.

Ffion Evans started her role earlier this month after working as the outgoing headteacher Kath Sewell’s deputy since January of this year.

She said: “Being Welsh, music is a part of my culture and the way I’ve been brought up.

“It’s been instrumental in forming who I am as a person – music is a part that will never go away. I am known to have a few dramatic quirks with my singing in maths lessons or the way music is a part of the way children walk in and out of assembly.

“Music is a huge part of our wellbeing.”

The Disney hit We Don’t Talk About Bruno, from Encanto, is one of a canon of songs that the children sing in assemblies that she says “bring joy and enthusiasm and an uplifting happiness in our school”.

The Lampeter-born educator, who moved to London 15 years ago, worked as a deputy head in neighbouring Newham for six years as well as at schools in Ealing, Westminster and Tower Hamlets. Describing why she applied for the role of head at New North Academy, Ms Evans praised the staff as well as the “incredible little people” at the Popham Road school.

She said: “There were so many things I liked – to be honest the children were first and foremost. They’re so vibrant and enthusiastic and passionate about learning and they’re real characters that are full of joy.

“Being able to work with such incredible little people is one of the things that attracted me, but another was the staff.

“Having worked with the staff for a couple of months, their energy and commitment and dedication to the community is second to none.

“We all want the absolute best for our children and you don’t get that in a lot of places, and that shone through.”

Ms Evans has a background in theatre and drama, originally gaining a degree in performance before going on to train as a teacher at the world’s number one training school, the Institute of Education in Bloomsbury.

She described being a headteacher as “a pleasure and a privilege”.

“The influence I have to transform and change the future lives and the current lives of pupils is incredible,” she added.

And how does she relax after a long day at school?

“It’s important that I model to my staff that wellbeing is important too,” she said, explaining how when she gets through the door of her Greenwich home, she cuddles with Archie the cat, her “pride and joy,” and settles down to watch hit noughties comedy-drama The Gilmore Girls.

But when she is not stuck in the big smoke, she escapes to cold water sea swimming with friends in Margate.

Ms Sewell has left to join the academy trust, Learning In Harmony, in a central role.

New North Academy will hold its next open day on Tuesday, October 4 from 5pm.