NEW opportunities are opening up every day for primary pupils at the new Elm Academy in Bournemouth.

The former Elmrise Primary School has joined forces with the neighbouring Oak Academy and Studio School to create the LeAF (Learning and Achievement Foundation) campus in Bournemouth.

Now youngsters have access to facilities at all sites, including top quality sports pitches normally beyond the reach of primary schools.

And talented pupils also have the chance to be taught at higher academic levels by secondary school teachers.

Executive Principal of all three establishments is Dr Annetta Minard but Elm Academy has its own Head of School, Justine Brooks.

Mrs Brooks has been in charge at the primary site for three years and has seen things change for the better recently.

The school had been placed in special measures in 2009 after failing to provide an adequate education for its pupils.

But a robust improvement programme has seen the latest inspection rate it as satisfactory with good capacity for sustained improvement.

And Mrs Brooks hopes it will be rated as a good school the next time inspectors do their rounds. The school is also set to expand with extra classes added as primary school provision across Bournemouth is stretched to the limit.

Mrs Brooks hopes families in the immediate area and beyond will take advantage of the new opportunities on offer.

“Our curriculum has been adapted to ensure the children are more engaged” she said. “We have speakers into the school regularly, we take them out on more trips and we have established more links with the local business community.

“We have a lot of new, hard working staff, the children are lovely and the parents are great.”

She said relationships with parents are key to the success of the school and a lot of work has gone into helping them to get involved in school life.

“We are trying to listen to the parents and to work with them to help them support their children’s learning. “We are very proud of the achievements of the children, staff and parents.”

Mrs Brooks also hopes the links with other LeAF schools will ensure a smooth transition to secondary education and a strong community spirit.