OKEHAMPTON College governors have chosen to promote acting head Daryll Chapman to become the college?s new principal. Mr Chapman, 42, succeeds popular head Chris Powell who died suddenly last October. Ian Courtney, chair of governors, said Mr Chapman had been a ?unanimous? choice. ?He had overwhelming support from the staff, students and parents,? he said. ?There was a high quality national field with some excellent candidates, but Daryll Chapman equipped himself really well and stood out,? he added. Mr Courtney said 1,500 questionnaires had been sent out to parents last week as part of the Ofsted assessment and quite a few had been returned with positive comments in support of Mr Chapman. He said he felt Mr Chapman now had an ?incredibly strong mandate? to drive forwards his ideas for the college. ?I think we are coming to the end of one stage and coming to the start of another.? said Mr Courtney. Mr Courtney said the fact Mr Chapman had experience running the college for several months last year, while Mr Powell had acted as interim head at Tavistock College, had boosted his credentials. His appointment would also ensure continuity. The post was advertised nationally in late January and the college received almost 60 approaches, which boiled down at the first stage to 17 applications that were considered for shortlisting. Six candidates were shortlisted, four from Devon and two from further afield. Part of the two-day selection process included an interview slot with students on the school council and an evening presentation in the Octagon Theatre. Mr Chapman joined the college as vice-principal in September 2001, having previously taught at schools in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. The new principal will face a challenging task following Mr Powell, who in his five years at the college oversaw a sharp increase in the college?s educational attainment levels.