WELLINGTON Academy opened its doors to 650 pupils and a new sixth form on Monday, and the minister who approved the academy was there to see the change take place.

Jim Knight, former schools minister, and now the minister for the south-west region, wanted to see how things were going.

Mr Knight, who was a governor of a Wiltshire comprehensive school before he became an MP, said: “This is fantastic news for this area – I’m pleased to see it come about and I’m excited by the building plans as well.

“From what I have seen we will be making some good progress even before the buildings are ready, as the changed atmosphere will help raise aspirations for the pupils and make them feel valued.

“To be a successful school it is important to get good exam results, particularly in English, maths and science, but also in how it prepares pupils, particularly those from a more disadvantaged background.

“Sports, the arts and here, the combined cadet force, will make this academy somewhere the local community values.

“I’m really confident that with the support of the sponsors this will be a success.”

Sponsor Wellington College is a very progressive and successful private school, said the minister.

He added: “Elements of their success will be carried through, though it will be important for the team here to find their own routes to success, not by trying to recreate Wellington College but by holding on to the best bits that will work here.”

New principal Andy Schofield said: “I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time – just over a year.

“I’m really proud of the pupils, they look brilliant in their new uniforms.”

With 650 pupils on roll this year the school has 300 more than it did when the previous head teacher of Castledown School, John Pender, took over.

“We want to build on what John Pender and his team achieved over the last five years,” added Mr Schofield.

A major change is the arrival of a sixth form, which has attracted 35 students in its first year.