THE head teacher of a Bridgwater junior school says it is entering an exciting era after it became an academy.

The former Hamp Junior School is now Hamp Academy – sponsored by Bridgwater College.

The move aims to give the academy greater freedoms and flexibility in areas including the curriculum, employing staff, and the dates and length of school terms.

It will still be inspected by Ofsted, but will be responsible to the Bridgwater College Trust, rather than Somerset County Council.

Extra funding from the switch has allowed the academy to invest in its buildings and grounds – with new carpets, noticeboards, better computer equipment and replacement playground tarmac to prevent flooding – among the changes.

Luke Talmage, acting head teacher, said: “We are very excited about the creation of the Academy and believe that its links to the wider Bridgwater College Trust will have many benefits for the children, parents and carers of our school community.

“We will build on the history and successes of Hamp Junior School and aim to provide the highest possible academic, social, physical and moral standards in a happy, caring and well organised learning environment.

“We also hope to draw upon the experience and expertise of the college and other academy partners to continue our development into an outstanding school for our pupils and local community.”

Mike Robbins, principal of Bridgwater College, said: “We were delighted to respond to the request of the previous governing body to become the sponsors of the Hamp Academy. “As sponsors we are also expected to challenge traditional thinking on how schools should be run and help to realise some of the benefits of moving outside local authority control. “We will also offer our expertise and support to raise attainment and achievement, whilst seeking to retain the core values and nurturing philosophy of the school, and plan to share good practice between the academies in the trust and the college.”