A Southampton primary school has a new principal.

Crenstant Williams has taken up the role of acting principal for Port Royal Primary School in Southampton.

Mr Williams, who has been at the helm since last week, said that he “jumped straight in” after being offered the position.

He said: “I’ve been pursuing this goal for a while, so now to have actually crossed the threshold, it’s rewarding."

He added: “The school’s very nice. The atmosphere is wonderful. It’s a school that really doesn’t need any assistance per se.

“Everybody does what they need to. Staff have been very welcoming. The PTA has been welcoming, and everything’s just been going wonderfully so far.

“I’m just putting my best foot forward while I’m here.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. Anybody who knows me knows that I do my best and put my all into everything that I do.”

Mr Williams takes up the post after the previous principal, Joann Dill, was seconded to the Education Reform Unit last September.

Her position was filled by Marsha Rollins, the deputy principal, until Mr Williams took up the position.

Ms Dill will be a member of the Education Reform Unit until further notice.

Mr Williams will also continue to hold his position as Acting Education Officer for Mathematics, while leading Port Royal Primary.

He said that his main focus was helming the school and added that “at present I am just monitoring what’s going on”.

The Ministry of Education, which confirmed his appointment, said Mr Williams’ remaining responsibilities as Education Officer for Mathematics would be divided among his peers within the Government.

A ministry spokeswoman explained: “In collaboration with the other education officers, the Department of Education’s Mathematics Mastery Team is carrying out the responsibilities of the Education Officer Mathematics post, in which Mr Williams acted in before taking up his new role.

“The post is also under recruitment.”

Mr Williams introduced and recently completed Lead Practitioner accreditation with 14 other teachers.

The programme is offered by the Schools, Students and Teachers network in Britain and gave the instructors specialised strategies for teaching mathematics after a year of study.