Head teacher of the new Pinner High School, Chris Woolf, tells The Harrow Times his days are numbered at the "quietest school in the country" as the countdown clock ticks down until the secondary finally welcomes its first pupils

The countdown clock on the school website focuses my attention: less than 150 days to go now. Watching the seconds disappear from it seemed like a great way of building excitement in the community towards September.

It is also a great way of keeping me on task without the usual school pressures of students at the door, staff sending emails and parents making calls.

This is the first week of the summer term. Next time we have a ‘first week’ in September the waiting will be over and the students will have brought Pinner High School to life.

As head of the quietest school in the country, with nine months from taking up the post until the school opens, how is the first trimester progressing?

It is hard to know what comes first when you don’t know what to expect, and no manual to guide you through.

The first milestone of being fully staffed with teachers achieved with 10 very successful appointments and overwhelming interest in joining the team: almost 300 applications received at a time of recruitment crisis for many schools.

Several appointments are from local schools; Nower Hill and Canons, some from further afield. All are exceptional practitioners.

I am no longer alone in the office, with Mary my fabulous PA joining me on the journey. She is ticking off a list of impossible tasks, satisfying the cravings of a picky head teacher: who do you call to get a phone line for a school that doesn’t exist, that is transportable to a new office when the school opens, when there are two other lines being used in the building already?

How do you tactfully manage a complaint from a member of the local community about Pinner High School students, when there are none that exist?

What response can you give a job applicant with an inappropriate personal email address?

A range of interested visitors have been to observe, probe, ensure all is well, nod their approval, wish us all the best and promise to return post-September.

Local MP Nick Hurd first, followed by Hillingdon Councillors Catherine Dann, Becky Haggar and Nick Denys.

It is a pleasure to welcome them all: their support cannot be taken for granted.

Pinner High School will be an inclusive school, of high aspiration for all, and an emphasis on academic excellence, performance opportunity, sporting success and a commitment to the community.

The first students in Year 7 will be our trailblazers, just as the staff will be who open the school with me in September.

And what of the future? More appointments to make, not of teachers, but ensuring top quality support staff breathe life into the motto ‘Inspiring Learning’ as well as their teaching colleagues.

Like most families, I want them to see we’re all in this together.

Student numbers to confirm, scheduling times to go to their homes and current schools to ease anxieties and deliver a smooth start to the school year.

172 offers were made on March 1 for 180 places, far exceeding expectations. A few places remain, so it is not too late to be a part of the excitement.

But it is the unknown unknowns that catch me on a sleepless night.

I like to ask all prospective colleagues what would scare them about being successful with their application.

Note to potential job seekers: saying ‘nothing’ does not strike the appropriate self-aware and considered response I would expect from those entrusted to carry the project forward to reflect and guide young people as they grow with their school.

I’m developing expertise well beyond my skill set: fence heights and durability; fashion design now that the uniform exists; sounding knowledgeable on air during a very enjoyable interview with Radio Harrow.

So the next trimester and beyond promise to be just as busy as the first.

Perhaps the nesting phase, redecorating to do, building works underway, ensuring all the right furniture, fittings and equipment is in the right place.

Final check-ups from Ofsted, the Department for Education, continuing to confirm all is well.

‘How do you plan to celebrate the end of the first week of school?’ asked one applicant at interview. I’ve never liked the idea of throwing a baby shower before the big day. There will be a time for that. Celebrating at the right moment is really important. I’ll keep you posted, I reply.

The countdown clock ticks on.