PINEHURST Junior School's headteacher has come out in favour of plans to turn Headlands into an academy.

Steve Hobbs, along with other heads, initially said he was against the plan to create a 0-19 academy which would see his and the infants' school and Headlands amalgamated and run by the Christian charity United Learning Trust.

But now, just weeks before Swindon's School Organisation Committee makes a final decision about the future of the school, Mr Hobbs says he believes the academy will give his pupils the best educational opportunities available.

"Initially, there was some trepidation about the project because governors, staff and parents were keen to retain the unique ethos of the school, the care and support given to the children and increasing rise in educational standards," he said.

"However, we have heard what is on offer and we feel that this opportunity should not be missed. We all want what is best for the children. Nought to 19 academies in the UK are a new concept in education. Academies in many areas have been aimed at failing schools. This does not apply to the Pinehurst Schools.

"This academy will therefore be a flagship to enable the children of the Headlands catchment schools to aspire to the highest levels possible in their education.

"We already have excellent resources at the junior school and a sound building so we are expecting that and more from the academy.

"It will ensure that our curriculum project Pinesbury' will continue with even better TV studio and radio broadcasting and business enterprise facilities.

"The children will have direct access to the specialist teaching expertise found in secondary phase and all the specialist resources and accommodation, drama and music studios, technology and art workshops, fantastic sports facilities and more. I believe that the academy will work closely with the other feeder primary schools in Penhill and Gorse Hill to ensure that they benefit from all the academy has to offer."

He added: "It is very important that the other primary school pupils do not miss out.

"We already have an excellent area headteacher group within the Headlands catchment area and this will continue enabling the formulation of an exciting collaborative curriculum."

And he thinks the academy will help to regenerate Pinehurst by injecting new life into the area.

It is proposed that the academy will be built on the site of Pinehurst People's Centre.

"The academy will be a community asset that will allow parents and families to form a lifetime working partnership to ensure their children get the best education possible," he said.

"New community facilities will regenerate Pinehurst and strengthen the residents' pride in the area, with the academy being a focal point not just in Pinehurst but the whole of Swindon."

The Schools Organisation Committee will be meeting on January 24 to decide if the academy will go ahead or not.