NEW headteacher Terry Ring isn't exactly new to his job – and he is no stranger either to pupils and parents.For Mr Ring has been the acting head at Deben High in Felixstowe for the past year, and has taught at the school for 19 years.

NEW headteacher Terry Ring isn't exactly new to his job – and he is no stranger either to pupils and parents.

For Mr Ring has been the acting head at Deben High in Felixstowe for the past year, and has taught at the school for 19 years.

Now he has been appointed as head, taking over from David Hutcheson, who has retired because of health problems.

Mr Ring feels good steady progress is being made by the 1,000-pupil school in Garrison Lane and it has a bright future ahead.

"I am very pleased with the support from parents and staff and everyone is working very hard, and we now have some stability with everyone moving in the same direction," he said.

"Certainly, when you look at our exam results, these were much improved last year and I am looking for that to continue.

"We have an increasing number of students going into the sixth form and I am sure that will continue, and it is important that we develop the range of courses we offer to those staying on for further education for one, two or three years."

The sixth form is a joint venture with Orwell High and the two schools are committed to co-operating and have an excellent relationship and are working hard to develop courses for the benefits of students at each campus.

Among the challenges ahead for the school are the changes being brought in for 14 to 19-year-olds to make their education more flexible to suit their needs and future plans.

Mr Ring said the school welcomed the changes, which could in future see some pupils studying certain core subjects but working towards exam qualifications, if that was their need, or NVQs or taking part in on-the-job placements to gain experience of the workplace and skills training.

Pupils have been encouraged to participate in the current government consultation on the proposals.

Mr Ring, 51, studied engineering at university before training as a teacher. He taught in Surrey and Sussex, before arriving at Deben as head of science in January 1983. He was later promoted to senior teacher and deputy head, before taking over as acting head in February last year.

He believes that youngsters should learn the basic skills, but that schools have a duty to instil in pupils good attitudes to learning, to help them gain the skills they need for their futures, and to become responsible members of the community.

Over the past three years Deben High pupils have raised more than £5,000 for a variety of charities and good causes from a range of events.

Their most recent sponsorship stunt was a doughnut eating marathon when children from Year nine endeavoured to eat 100 of the sticky buns between them.

The 24 boys and girls of form 9P5 chose to raise money for the RSPCA from the doughnut challenge, which was part of the theme of citizenship in their Social Education lessons, encouraging them to think of their role in the community and helping others.

of the national curriculum.

Mr Ring is a great supporter of the school council and wants to encourage the pupils to play an active role in the school and the way it is run.

"The vast majority of our pupils are decent and hard-working and always wear their uniform. We have many good comments from people outside the school," he said.

The school is looking to continue its work as a centre for excellence for sport, and is embarking on a development strategy to become a centre for excellence for the arts.