A DURSLEY school for children with behavioural problems and learning difficulties held an academic review day - revealing the positive steps taken by its students.

Peak Academy, in Dursley, held its academic review day on Friday, February 13, the equivalent of what many schools would call a parents evening.

The day saw students’ parents get the chance to see the progress made by their sons and daughters since they began attending the school.

Peak Academy has been on the up since a new senior leadership team took the helm in June last year to pull the school away from poor performances in Ofsted reports.

Leading that team is headteacher Richard Lewis, an ex-royal marine whose ambitions for the academy are seemingly endless.

Explaining the importance of the school’s academic review days, Mr Lewis said: “If the parents care about the school then the kids care about the school.”

Parents attending the school on Friday seemed happy with the feedback they received.

Stef Kotwica, of Lyndon, is the father of Ash, 14.

“Since he’s been coming here I can see a lot of changes and I think it’s going in the right direction," said Mr Kotwica.

“It’s a nice location; I just want the best for my lad and he’s doing well. I’ve spoken to his teachers and they’ve told me he’s coming on leaps and bounds.”

Prior to attending Peak Academy, Liam Pate lacked confidence in school, with a constant stream of setbacks keeping his confidence low.

However, his parents say that since starting at Peak Academy in September last year the changes have been remarkable.

“He was getting knocked down all the time - told ‘Liam don’t do this’ and ‘Liam don’t do that’,” said his mum Andrea Pate.

“Since coming here everything has changed. He wants to go to college, which he wouldn’t have even considered before.

“He’s now a happy boy at home. He has to travel a long journey by taxi to get in during the week but he gets up now and actually wants to go to school.

“We couldn’t be more grateful. We’re just speechless – a proud mum and a proud dad. Thank you Peak Academy.”

Despite its successes, the team at the Peak Academy don’t show any signs of slowing down.

Mr Lewis said: “It’s all about building the boats of learning. I think these guys deserve the very best education.

“We need to buy into their future.”

For more information on Peak Academy visit their website at www.thepeakacademy.org.