DAWLISH Community College's new headmaster has high hopes for the school's future. Thirty-eight-year-old Andrew Davis started his headship at the beginning of the autumn term. Dawlish is his sixth school, his last post being deputy principal at Exmouth Community College. He had been at Exmouth for three years and saw running Dawlish Community College as 'a fantastic opportunity' and natural progression from a deputy into a principal role. 'The school has lived up to my expectations,' he said. 'When I came for my interview I could see it had great staff and students. 'Since starting, the students have been getting used to my style, which is obviously different from Mr Kirk's, but that vast majority have responded really well and we've had a great start to the new term. The students seem to be enjoying their learning and hopefully it will last.' One of the things currently being worked on is making sure the students wear the correct uniform. Mr Davis also wants to improve their pride in coming to the school. 'Uniform is part of that whole self-esteem,' he said. 'So we are currently carrying out a college review to find out what they want. 'We are also going to have a big drive on new buildings and facilities, and have already spoken to the local authority regarding the building of a new drama studio, refurbishment of the gyms and removal of the mobile classrooms from the site and a big push on better facilities. 'Finally, we are pushing on teaching and learning, making sure the lessons are of a top quality and the students enjoy them and make good progress. 'I'd like to achieve a school that maintains its high standards, a school where the students are proud to come into, where parents are proud to send their kids to and we have buildings of the standard that Dawlish students deserve – a school where student's enjoy their learning and come out with skills that prepare them for the real world.' 'Personally, I am delighted to have been appointed the headship, and know I have a big job to follow in Roger Kirk's footsteps, but I am looking forward to the challenges that the job will present.' The college is in the top 25 per cent of schools nationally for progress form Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 and 61.4 percent of GCSE pupils this year received five A* to C grades. An open day at the school was held yesterday.