JOE Flynn, new headteacher at Tavistock Primary School, is a man on an educational mission.

He has spent his first half-term looking, learning and listening — now he is ready to move forward towards his vision of providing the highest possibly quality of education for all pupils.

He is clearly excited and enthusiastic about the school he has joined.

'I have inherited a wonderful staff, a forward-looking and enthusiastic governing body and a building that has one or two problems but is basically good,' said Mr Flynn, who intends to 'look laterally' to improve a school which is already 'very good'.

'I have done an audit on everything to do with the school: Why are we doing this? Can we do it better?' he said.

'It's difficult for the staff because they just can't work any harder, but if we can't work harder, can we work smarter?'

As an example, he said the school has found by installing a new phone system, they can actually save money.

Mr Flynn brings a great deal of experience to Tavistock. He has had headships in Lincolnshire, Plymouth and Bodmin — last year he was seconded as a primary adviser in Cornwall.

'Last year was the best in-service I have ever had. The privilege of going into so many schools was just tremendous — I learnt a huge amount,' he said.

As a result of his experiences, he co-wrote the primary headteachers' year planner for Cornwall Advisory Service which was initially on trial in 50 schools.

It is now in use in many Cornish schools and is beginning to be ordered by others all over the country.

Mr Flynn is keen to extend the involvement of parents in their children's school and is compiling a 'register of talents' among friends, parents and grandparents, whether those talents are on the sports field, in the art class or in the music room.

'I am committed to this school being a community school and to working in partnership with parents.

'It's really refreshing that parents are able to come and talk to me about their children's education — it's so vital, children only get one chance and it's got to be right.'

He said he is delighted to welcome visitors into school which enables them to see the 'really talented' work produced by the children — all of whom are working towards a special Millennium exhibition at the Wharf at the end of November.

'Each class has taken a century and they are working on different aspects of that century. The work is absolutely outstanding and we are having tremendous support from a very talented group of parents,' he said.

Mr Flynn said teaching is 'in his blood' — many members of his family are in the profession and he is married to Kate, a special needs teacher who works in Newquay.

A keen sportsman, he was a county sprinter in his youth and until recently played rugby for Liskeard's first team.

But for now, sport has to take second place with long hours at school the order of the day.