A NEW head teacher has been appointed to take over the reins at Wiveliscombe Primary School.

Steve Duncan will take over from Tony Halstead, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Mr Duncan – current head at a school in Witheridge, Devon – says he is relishing the challenge.

He said: “It is a privilege for me to have been offered the position of head teacher – I know I am stepping into some big shoes with the retirement of Mr Hal-stead.

“After reading the last Ofsted report and spending two days at the school at the end of last term, I also know I am joining a great team of people – staff, governors, children and parents – and a good school that is at the heart of its community.”

Although he won’t officially take the role until September, Mr Duncan has been in school over the past few weeks to get accustomed to life in Wiveliscombe.

Mr Duncan, who has been teaching for 24 years, said: “I know what I want from any school my child attends. She must be cared about, her needs addressed and her individual potential recognised.

"I believe it is the job of a good primary school to ensure its children leave with a good foundation while also ensuring the children are happy, cared for and believe in themselves.”

As reported in the County Gazette, pupils made a short film which was beamed on the internet as they stepped up a search for a new head.

Mr Halstead, who has held the headship for 17 years, announced his retirement last year.

Mr Duncan added: “Although I have been head teacher of two schools before, every school and every community is different, so I intend to spend my first term getting to know the children, staff, parents, governors and wider community as well as I possibly can.”