THE new secondary school currently being built in North Swindon will be a shining example of excellence in education, says the principal.

Graham Davis was in April appointed to head the Great Western Academy in Tadpole Garden Village.

And he has spoken of his excitement at being part of the £21 million project as it prepares to open its doors next September.

Graham, who has spent the past 25 years working in education, said: “I was thrilled when I was told that I had been appointed principal. It’s a fantastic opportunity to set up a school from scratch.

“It was a bit daunting as there is a huge amount of work to be done before opening this top quality school to the local community, but it’s amazing to see how we are progressing.”

Graham, who lives in Marlborough, was simply looking for “a step up in my career” when he decided to apply for the job of principal.

The three-storey secondary school, sponsored by New College Swindon, will be fully equipped to provide for the delivery of a full secondary and post-16 curriculum with a major focus on computing, business, enterprise and technology.

There will be space for around 1,200 pupils in the school and 80 in the sixth form.

“We are here to serve the students and to give them the best possible start, and it will be a privilege to work with them,” said a passionate Graham.

“Swindon is a thriving town with a constantly increasing population and it is a real privilege to think that we are part of that expansion.

“But the thing I am looking forward to the most is September 3 when we finally welcome all our students. That will be brilliant, it will be fantastic to see the kids coming through the door in their smart new uniforms to start their next step in education.”

The building work is due to be completed in July 2018, ready for the Academy to open in September 2018 for its first intake of Year 7 and 12 students.

The school will maintain a close working relationship with New College.

Applications for a place in Year 7 can be made through the Local Authority’s Admissions process by October 31 and for Sixth Form by applying directly to the Academy by December 22.

Further information outlining the vision and ethos of the Academy, curriculum and facilities is available from its website at www.gwacademy.co.uk.

Graham urged parents to contact the school if they had any questions.