CHILDREN at Chagford primary school began the Summer term this week with a new permanent headmaster — one with a friendly face that they all know well. Justin Stone has been acting head since Chagford's former head Chris Long left at Easter 2006. Before that, he acted as deputy head at Chagford for six years, teaching across all the years at the school. Justin is delighted to take up the post. 'It's been a privilege to lead the school for the last year, and I'm really excited to have the opportunity to continue with everything I was working on,' he said. He is enjoying the new experience of being a non-teaching head, with the time to support colleagues and develop teaching practice at the school. 'It also means that now I can focus on all the children at the school, instead of just one class,' he said, adding that he likes to make time to regularly talk to all the 150 children under his care. Justin is also keen to develop links between the school and the wider community during his headship: 'I'd really like to bring the community into the school more, and make them more involved,' he said. Rigorous interviews for the headship took place at the school at the start of April. 'I found the whole process quite touching and uplifting,' Justin said. 'So many people from the school community supported me through it, and I had lots of cards and congratulations. I'd really like to thank everybody for their support'. Justin is now busy finalising plans for the school's calendar of events throughout the year. The first event of his new headship will be the traditional school fair, to be held on Thursday, May 24, this year.