CHRIS Conners has high expectations — taking over a school which was placed in special measures last November is no easy task, but the new headteacher of St Peter's Junior School in Tavistock believes if every child is given the chance to fulfil their potential, the school will thrive, sooner rather than later.

Mr Conners has been in the leading role for half a term, but was appointed before St Peter's was deemed to be failing by Ofsted.

It was something he had not bargained for but, having visited the school last year, something told him that this was a place which had all the credentials for being excellent.

'I had met the staff and governors and got a great feel about the school,' he said.

'It was not a school where I thought "there are some real issues here".

'Of course, every school has some issues, but at St Peter's I did not feel it was an insurmountable task to overcome them in any way whatsoever.

'Anyone who takes on a school in special measures always asks the question: "Am I going to be able to give this school what it needs?"

'But at the same time I never thought of declining the position.

'St Peter's is a very forward-thinking school with great support from parents and the community and we are also getting good support from the local education authority.'

The school is still in close contact with Jane Byrne, a national leader for education, who was appointed as acting executive head before Christmas, in the interim period before Mr Conners took up his post as executive head of St Peter's and St Rumon's Infants' School which is on another site.

'Lots of good thing have already started happening,' Mr Conners told the Times.

'We are looking at developing our teaching and learning policy which is fundamental to how the school progresses. We are working with the staff and children on what we call learning behaviours and encouraging the children to become independent, autonomous learners.

'We are working with a school in Exeter and making sure that we have a good handle on what the best practise is and then making it right for our pupils.

'We are ensuring, as far as possible, that all the systems are exactly the same across the two schools. It is important that it runs like one primary school on two sites. We need to have consistency from foundation to Year Six.

'We are also looking at behaviour and have just implemented a handwriting and presentation policy.'

Mr Conners, 38, has been teaching for 16 years in various primary schools, most recently in Siddington and Kemble Primary Schools in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

The eldest of three children, teaching was natural to him, but it was not until he did some work experience in his brother's school that the teaching bug really hit him.

'I absolutely loved it,' he said. 'I think there is a real sense of job satisfaction when you see the light go on in a child's mind.

'Being a teacher is a time consuming, very demanding job, both emotionally and physically, but it is wonderful to work with so many inspiring children.

'They always come out with something different to what you expect them to say and that is great.

'There is no model for being a great teacher but fundamentally you have to care passionately about what you do and that will come across to the children.'

Mr Conners, who is originally from Plymouth, said the job came up at St Peter's at the perfect time for him and his wife, who were looking to move back home with their two boys, aged three and seven.

'We had been living in Bristol which was fine but we felt a long way from the coast,' he said.

'We love living in Tavistock with the moors and the coast not far away.

'We are definitely looking forward to having a more outdoorsy life and my last school bought me a kayak as a leaving present so it's going to be fun, kayaking with the boys.'

Mr Conners said everyone involved in St Peter's was committed to the challenge ahead.

'St Peter's and St Rumon's are great schools to work in,' he said.

'The staff are really committed and totally accepting and supportive to the changes we are making and the children are delightful. The parents have also been brilliant and other schools in Tavistock very helpful.

'Unfortunately more schools are going into special measures now than in the past because the Ofsted network is so much more rigorous and demanding. It is something that is becoming more common. However, my belief is that if we make sure the children have the best education experience possible then Ofsted will like it too.

'Yes, we have to tick the boxes, but that is not my main focus.

'The main focus for me is helping each and every child to succeed in their aspirations and ambitions. If we can do that, we will excel.

'The time limit set to come out of special measures is two years but we want to come out quicker than that.

'We do not want to come out as a school that requires improvement but one that is looking to be outstanding in the future.

'I have no doubt in my mind that this is a school that will become fantastic.'