WIVELISCOMBE Primary School’s new head teacher said taking over the role has made him feel like ‘Doctor Who’.

Steve Duncan took over from retiring head Anthony Halstead at the beginning of this term and he said he is settling into his role nicely.

With 17 years of headship under his belt, he’s certainly no stranger to the requirements of the role but he says it still has its challenges.

“So far it’s been really great. “The staff, pupils and parents have all been so welcoming and friendly – Wiveliscombe is a lovely place with a very strong sense of identity and a real community feel, and I really want to help the school continue to be a part of that community,” he said.

“I was at my last school for 11 years and I want to keep challenging myself until I retire.

“I want each pupil to enjoy school and to achieve their potential – that can be challenging because each child is different.”

And Steve has wasted no time in making sure he is part of the strong community by sending his daughter to the primary school.

He added: “I took my five-year-ld daughter out of her school and she now attends Wiveliscombe Primary School.

"My two-year-old is also at the Paddocks Nursery, which is part of the school.

“I wouldn’t have done that if I didn’t believe that this was a good school and I want parents to know that I believe that.

“I think it’s reassuring for them to understand that many teachers are parents too and we go through the same thoughts and worries that they do.

“The school had a ‘good’ Ofsted inspection last year and I’m looking forward to making sure we achieve that when we are inspected again in 2016.”

The primary school has been open since 1876, but Mr Duncan is only the 12th head teacher there in all that time.

He said: “In a way it has made me feel like the new Doctor Who because there haven’t been very many head teachers in the school’s history.”