LESS than two years since the Bourne Academy opened its doors, parents and students are queuing for places.

Formerly Kings High, the site has traditionally been under-occupied with families choosing other Bournemouth secondary schools for their children.

But this year it is over-subscribed for the first time with any remaining places in all year groups being snapped up.

And a visit to the Hadow Road school makes it very easy to see why.

Dynamic Principal Jackie Steel’s no-nonsense approach has rubbed off on staff and students alike.

A zero-tolerance approach to any wrongdoing, coupled with increased focus on individual learning and communication between staff and young people have proved to be a winning combination.

And it’s clear the students are proud to be part of the transformation, wearing their striking black and pink uniforms with pride.

Exam results have improved dramatically and a £10 million investment programme about to get underway will do nothing to halt its progress.

Building work is starting which will involve either bulldozing or transforming old buildings to create a state-of-the-art learning environment.

The Bourne Academy is currently a mixed school for 11-16-year-olds but will have its own sixth form from September 2013, the expected completion date for all the building work, which includes a new maths and English block, music and drama studios.

“The new buildings will be a physical representation of what we are doing” said Miss Steel. “It is going to make everybody happy to be here – so many schools are dreary and this is going to be the exact opposite.”

GCSE results were dramatically improved last year with 46 per cent of students gaining at least five grades C or above, including English and maths. Miss Steel said the results were “the best ever results at the site and we are expecting the trend to continue.”

Among the Academy’s achievements are having winners in the Young Artists in Dorset competition, producing Bournemouth’s first-ever Poet Laureate, success in the Robotics Challenge and being awarded the prestigious Aimhigher School of the Year award.

Two former students have now taken up scholarship places in the prestigious Canford School sixth form thanks to the links between the two schools with two more due to go in September.