TAVISTOCK College has recently welcomed new principal, Sarah Jones from Lipson Co-operative Academy, following the departure of Helen Salmon.

Sarah, who has been teaching for nearly 27 years, has aspirations to take the school to an outstanding level, not just in an Ofsted report but in the eyes of pupils, parents and staff.

She plans to stay at the college for ten years before retiring at 60 and hopes to leave it in an even better position that it is in now.

Sarah comes to the college to replace former principal Helen Salmon.

Helen was appointed to the position at Tavistock College in September 2010, after the school had been placed under special measures.

After two years she was able to raise the standard, taking the Ofsted report from special measures to good.

At the time, Helen said that the overall standard was raised with the removal of eight members of staff.

Despite just falling short of an outstanding report before she left, Sarah praised Helen’s contribution to the college: ‘I would like to pay tribute to Helen Salmon and the way she gave the college back a sense of pride. It was a shame she didn’t stay long enough to take it to outstanding, so perhaps she retired before the job was finished but she made a great improvement.’

Sarah was born in St Ives and bought up in Plymouth, she has spent most of her career in schools in Plymouth.

Alongside her role as vice principal at Lipson Co-operative Academy, Sarah continued to study but has put a pause on her doctorate for now to allow her to settle into Tavistock.

The work in her doctorate has a strong focus on co-operative schools which is why she applied for Tavistock College.

She said: ‘Co-operative schools help to continue staff and students’ development of values which guide them through life. At the moment I am focusing on democracy. I am working hard to make sure people have a voice which they can use respectfully and use their voice in an appropriate way to help the school be better.

‘There is already a very strong parent group and although teachers may be experts on learning, parents are experts on their children so I want to bring that together more.

‘I also want to focus on solidarity as times are tough, not just financially. I want to make sure no one is left behind with a teacher or parent feeling like they don’t have a say.’

Outside of work, Sarah has two horses and said she would describe herself as a ‘happy hacker’ kind of rider.

She also has a strong interest in drama and has been in several productions in the Drum Theatre in Plymouth, including Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca.

Sarah added: ‘I love drama but not musical theatre as I can’t sing or dance!’

Since the start of her run as principal Sarah has made an effort to tidy up the uniform, which has been received with both praise and criticism from parents. To combat the issue she advised parents that she operates with an open door policy and that anyone with any worries can contact her at the college. She also purchased a large quantity of school trousers, as she believes they are the main issue, which parents can purchase from the school at cost price.

She added: ‘I have a two pronged approach, with high academic standards and aspirations and ambitions. I do have a no nonsense attitude particularly towards dress and manners, this is why I have tidied up the uniform. I haven’t introduced a new uniform policy as I think its very good, I just expect parents to support my expectations. I understand parents might have bought new trousers at the end of last year which is why I am offering to sell trousers at cost price but I won’t lower my standards.

‘I am hoping to continue to create an environment where teachers can teach and children can learn but this is not an exam factory, we will support creative and sporting subjects. I have started to hang up children’s art work and have improved the toilets.’

Sarah said she has received letters of positive feedback from parents and teachers and really appreciates the support.

She added: ‘Good behaviour makes it safer, nicer and more purposeful. I want to thank parents for their kind words and for getting behind what I’m trying to achieve. I have been welcomed into the school and the community.

‘I want to improve the fabric of the building and make it a joyful place to be. We can all work hard but everyone needs some joy.’

Sarah said rather than introducing new ways of operating she will build on what is already at the college.

‘I haven’t changed the uniform or the behavioural system, I’ve just made it better. I want to work with people to get the very best out of them. This is not a school in special measures, this is a very good school on an upwards journey.

She added: ‘The students at the school are fantastic, co-operative, friendly and hard working. I am proud to work with them.

‘I think they are amazing, they welcomed me into their school, every year group has responded in the most positive way possible. Tavistock as a community is very lucky to have young people of this calibre.’