A NEW era of education has begun in Yate and Winterbourne as two schools reopened as a federated academy.

King Edmund Community School, in Sundridge Park, Yate, and The Ridings’ High School, in Winterbourne, have now become the Yate International Academy and the Winterbourne International Academy.

Dr Rob Gibson, chief executive of The Ridings’ Federation of Academies, said: "There is a different atmosphere and it is very exciting.

"Everybody is very positive and the students look fantastic. There is a definite buzz at both academies."

Students started in Winterbourne on Friday and in Yate today, wearing smart new uniforms in a marked return to formal school wear.

Roger Gilbert, principal of the Yate academy, was joined by the rest of his teaching staff to welcome students this morning.

He said: "It has been 18 months of planning but the most important day is today when we open for the students.

"The staff are very committed to the academy. We had two very strong training days and we feel that the improved GCSE and A-Level results give us a really good starting point in which we can develop into one of the strongest academies in the area."

The school has abandoned year groups and is trialling a Guild system, based upon the competitive Houses in public schools.

The federation of academies, the first of its kind in the country, has become independent of South Gloucestershire Council and will answer directly to the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The International Baccalaureate will form a basis for the curriculum at both academies and there will be links with local business leaders and international companies.

The Yate International Academy has adopted a specialism in science and the Winterbourne International Academy is focusing on mathematics and modern foreign languages.

Rob Evans, Winterbourne academy principal, said: "The staff, students and the wider community are all delighted with the move to academy status and the benefits it is going to bring in the short term and in the long run."

The 40-year-old buildings at the Yate academy will be demolished and rebuilt in 2012 under the Government’s academy programme. All the computers at the Winterbourne academy have already been replaced and a new ICT suite is being built.

Winterbourne student Joe Pavey, 12, said: "It is really good. The change takes a bit of getting used to but it does make a big difference having a new uniform."

Fifteen-year-old Lydia Page added: "Attitudes have changed. We feel like we want to work and the new uniform makes us feel smarter."

Ministers officially opened both academies on Monday.

Lord Drayson, minister of state for science and innovation, talked to students at the Yate International Academy.

He said: "Everything I have been able to do has been because I studied science at school.

"This academy is so important because Britain needs more scientists and engineers.

"There will be more jobs in the next few years doing some of the most exciting things in the world. Someone who is 13 or 14 now is going to have the opportunity to be the first astronaut to go to Mars."

Kevin Brennan, minister for further education, apprenticeships and skills, held a question and answer session with students at the Winterbourne International Academy.

He said: "This is a very new and novel sort of arrangement for schools. We are trying to invest in schools and improve educational outcomes for you."