A NEW head teacher has been settling down at Sandford School.

Jonathan Gower was appointed last March and started in September at what he describes "an exciting place."

Jonathan was deputy at St Andrews, Cullompton for three years and also worked at Exmouth.

Most of his teaching experience was gained at Southampton, some of the time as a deputy head.

He moved to Devon when he married Sophie who lived at Silverton.

They moved to Shobrooke and Jonathan saw an advertisement for head teacher at Sandford. He was already aware of the good reputation of the school and was familiar with the book "A Fathers View of School" written by the Chair of Governors.

Jonathan spent his first term getting to know people, a challenge, as there are 175 children's names to remember as well as about 30 members of staff. He has been trying to get to understand the school as well as getting to know everyone.

He hopes to keep the good features going and not change things too much.

With the start of the new term he wants to get things moving towards a three to four year plan – working with governors and starting the Summer term with a clear view.

A lot of work that is done as part of the curriculum uses local resources, the allotment, visiting parents with skills, studying the village and outdoor activities that reflect the school and setting.

The new Eco classroom will be finished at the end of March. The classroom was designed by Rob Rickey and is being built by Michael Thorne Construction.

The classroom, built with hemp-crete (hemp mixed with lime products) cast around a timber frame.

The Photo-voltaic cells in the solar panels in the roof produce electricity so conventional heating will not be needed for most of the year.

It is hoped that some of the electricity produced may be sold back to the grid.A perspex panel has been placed in one wall so that the children can see the hemp-crete wall.

The classroom has lovely views across the valley and extends to the outdoor area with a pond and willow constructions encourage the children to make the most of outdoor activities.

A group of GCSE students from Queen Elizabeth's Community College will be visiting the Eco classroom this term to study the construction.

Jonathan was delighted with the new classroom and said: "It will be nice to have some new classroom space.

"The new classroom will probably be used as a Year 6 classroom and a music room.

He added: "We have secured funding to build but we are still seeking funding for outdoor resources and equipment for the classroom."

Nora Parminter