AS A new school year gets under way for many so does it for Marlwood School’s new headteacher James Pope.

Starting from this academic year Mr Pope has taken over the reins at the school following a particularly turbulent year for the school.

The results of an Ofsted inspection, published in January of this year, were down, stating that the school ‘requires improvement’.

However a good set of A-level and GCSE results at the Alveston school during the summer ended things on a high.

The new head said that he is hoping to build on the positives and help students achieve the best they can.

“The stance we have with parents, students and teachers is one that will give the best outcome for our students.

“It’s all about aspiration, the kids here want to achieve the best they can and we will help to provide them with the platform to do that.

“The results that were achieved were excellent and there were some great personal stories that came out of that, but we’re not resting on our laurels.

“Some students will have a clear vocational drive and will know that they want to be, for example, a doctor however the vast majority of students don’t have that vocational drive and that doesn’t necessarily mean that they can’t be the best.

“We want to provide as many opportunities to the kids as possible and we’re opening a wider range of extra-curricular activities to help with that.”

He added that a community orientated ethos was important for developing the school.

“The results in the summer were a positive lift for the community and its great for them that we, along with Castle, can give the choice of two great schools.

“We want to produce well qualified and intelligent people who, if they come back to the Thornbury and Alveston area will be a massive benefit to it.”

An open evening will be held at the school on Thursday, October 2 for members of the community, specifically current year six students, to visit the school.