POOLE’S troubled St Aldhelm’s Academy has a new sponsor and can now become “one of the best schools in the town”, it has been claimed.

The failing academy, which has been beset with financial difficulties, poor academic results and staff shortages, will become the responsibility of the Ambitions Academies Trust from February 23.

Sian Thomas, executive head at Tregonwell Academy and school improvement lead at Kings Park Academy, will be the principal and Brian Hooper, the chief executive of the Trust, has told parents he will be “fully involved in ensuring the success” of the academy.

Mr Hooper’s letter to parents states: “We will work very hard to communicate with you, so you are involved in the journey we are embarking on.

“We have been working in the school for the last three days and I can only say that you should be truly proud of your children.

“During this very difficult time the vast majority of pupils have welcomed us, been very mature and discussed with us their strong desire to support the success of the Academy.”

The letter also contains a quote from Regional School Commissioner for the South West Sir David Carter, who said: “I have no doubt that St Aldhelm’s Academy can become one of the best schools in Poole.

“There is enormous potential for success and I am confident that Ambitions Academies Trust under the leadership of Brian Hooper will provide a school that the children and this community deserves.”

The Ambitions Academies Trust also runs Tregonwell Academy, Queens Park Academy, Kings Park Academy and Longspee Special School.

Alderney ward councillor Tony Trent said he welcomed the change of sponsor.

“Hopefully they will be straight with the parents and not make ‘rose tinted’ promises,” he said.

“Things will be difficult whilst the necessary building works take place but the school should not disadvantage the students that will be taking their all important exams this year. They only have one chance.

He added lessons needed to be learnt from the academy’s problems and said: “To blindly believe that academies never fail was a serious failing of this and the previous Government.”