First primary academy opens in Yate (From Gazette Series)

First primary academy opens in Yate

11:56am Thursday 8th September 2011 in News By Alexandra Womack

YOUNGSTERS in Yate have become the first in the district to attend an academy status primary school.

Woodlands Primary School, on Sundridge Park, was legally closed in the last week of the summer holidays and reopened this week as the primary phase of neighbouring Yate International Academy.

The school has retained the Woodlands name but will now be known as Woodlands Primary Phase, Yate International Academy.

It means Yate International Academy, which is part of The Ridings’ Federation linked with Winterbourne International Academy, is the first all-through academy of its kind in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

The academy will cater for four to 18-year-olds with a possibility of expanding further to include a nursery.

Dr Rob Gibson, chief executive of The Ridings’ Federation of Academies, said: "The first four to 18 all-through academy in South Gloucestershire marks the start of a new era for all the children in Yate.

"The academy will certainly provide significant, new and exciting opportunities in order to raise standards further now and into the future."

The link was widely welcomed by parents and teachers who said it would offer continuity for pupils transferring from primary to secondary school.