THERE was a tangible sense of optimism in the air as students, staff and guests gathered at a ceremony held to officially open Neale-Wade Academy today.
Principal Jason Wing, MP Stephen Barclay and Year 12 student Christine Crawford spoke about the transformation of the academy since it entered into special measures following a disappointing Ofsted report.
Mr Wing, who became principal in September 2011, praised his students and staff for the way they have responded to the challenge of reestablishing the academy's reputation.
He said: 'To find ourselves in special measures was tough and we recognised rapid improvements were required.
'The staff and students have responded brilliantly to the challenge and we are cautiously optimistic August's exam results will reflect the hard work of all involved.
'We are now at the point where 80 per cent of our lessons are rated good or outstanding.
'This town and the people of March deserve to have a good school at the heart of the community and I believe we are beginning to prosper, which is vital since our students are not just competing against people of Fenland for jobs but on a global level.'
Neale-Wade became an academy on April 1. It is managed by the Active Learning Trust.
Clive Bush, chief executive of the Active Learning Trust, said he had noticed a great deal of improvement at the academy since Mr Wing became principal.
He said: 'He is dynamic and immediately made a difference here since he understood the needs of the school.
'We are delighted with the huge improvements which have been made here and are confident things are on the right path.
'Fenland has as much right to a highly successful academy as anywhere else.'
Mr Barclay said: 'We should celebrate the work of the students, teachers, leadership team and governors and be excited about what is to come.
'There is a clear direction and the signs are extremely positive.
'There is huge potential in Fenland and I look forward in the future to reading about what everyone here goes on to achieve.'
Miss Crawford shared her experiences of the academy and spoke about her role as a senior student leader, which has given her a say on issues such as the change of school uniform and log books.
She said: 'There have been so many positive changes here and I know many people say they don't enjoy school but when I leave for university next year I will be able to say I enjoyed my time here and will leave with many fond memories.'
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