One year since it was founded, a new system designed to help the highest achieving pupils at Swindon Academy reach top universities has been praised as having “exceeded expectations”.

Ruth Robinson, principal at the academy, said the new ‘grammar stream’ run in conjunction with Marlborough College was giving parents the opportunity to give their children a grammar school education in the town for the first time.

Parental satisfaction is high, students are showing strong progress and the intake has nearly doubled for the second year, she added.

Mrs Robinson said: “It is really exciting. From having the first idea of what the grammar stream would be like, through to now, it has exceeded our expectations.

“All-in-all, the students are really thrilled and the parents are thrilled. What we are setting our sights on for those children is top universities – a few are aiming for Oxbridge.”

The 28 pupils who were brought into the grammar stream last year, who are now moving into year eight, and the 51 pupils who are starting this week are encouraged to take on extra homework in a bid to push themselves to high academic achievements.

In addition, the collaboration with Marlborough College sees the grammar stream students making monthly visits to the prestigious independent school, and once a term they take part in evening extra-curricular activities: last year this included a speech from a Roman centurion.

Talking about the advantages of holding an entrance exam for the stream, but keeping it running alongside the main body of the academy, Mrs Robinson said: “You don't get the lazy kids, and you don't get those who don't care.

“By about Christmas last year, one child had decided that the grammar stream wasn't right for her. There were three others who we kept a close eye on but only one was dropped.

“Dropping out of it doesn't occur to most of them – it is probably only because they haven't done their homework or they haven't revised.”

Talking about the attention to detail that is placed on the grammar stream’s pupils’ education, she said: “The homework was the biggest challenge; here there are very high homework expectations so we have spoken to parents about that.

“We did a lot more to help the children, with how to manage it at home, set up their desk and keep their diaries up to date.”

Students were similarly enthused by the opportunity to be part of the new system. Angel Ji, who is starting her second year in the grammar stream, said: “Everyone in class is focused and works really hard, and the prep work helps me understand things I didn’t know before.

“I feel very lucky to be able to learn at Swindon Academy and my parents are really pleased with the progress I am making.”

Amberly Pereira, one of Angel’s classmates, added: “We have a unique opportunity to go to Marlborough College and learn Latin. I feel really privileged to take part in these sessions.”