Olympian Matthew Wells is the new head of sport at Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar.

Matthew won a bronze medal in the Men's Double Sculls at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and began teaching after retiring from competitive rowing.

He says he wants to give each pupil at the academy a lifelong association with physical activity. The sports programme will vary every term to enable them to try as many sports as possible, to find one or more which suits their skills.

Matthew previously worked at Bedford Girls' School as director of rowing and although he wants to move away from rowing to focus on education, he believes that there are lessons from his sporting career which he can use to inspire the pupils.

He said: "During my career I faced disappointment in team selection and injury setbacks, and learning to overcome these is an important life lesson which I can pass on to them."

Matthew continues to set himself physical challenges every year, and after competing in a boxing match, playing rugby, and completing an Ironman, his current challenge is the Newport Marathon next April. He lives in Bath with his family.