THE youngest pupil at Poole's St Aldhelm's Academy has unveiled its new look following an extensive refurbishment programme.

Klaudia Plazewska cut a bright orange ribbon in front of invited guests including local residents, parents, councillors and past and present pupils.

Work has been carried out to replace noisy, open plan teaching areas with new classrooms and modern facilities including specialist IT suites and science labs.

The work is the latest stage in the transformation of the school, taken over in June by the successful, Bournemouth-based Ambitions Academies Trust.

Just two years ago the school was dubbed the worst in the country after just three per cent of its pupils achieved the national benchmark standards of at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English and maths.

New Principal, Sian Thomas, moved quickly to make changes and results this year had risen to 22 per cent with hopes high for even better results next year.

Senior leaders hope the changes will improve the learning environment.

Welcoming guests to the official opening, Sian Thomas said: "Our pupils started this term with a smart, new uniform, an amazing new building and leadership committed to helping them reach their academic potential.

"Some of those pupils have taken our visitors on a guided tour of their new school and people have been surprised and delighted by the modern surroundings and terrific resources we can now offer."

Among the visitors at the Open Building event was Rohan Bagshawe.

Mr Bagshawe was a pupil at one of St Aldhelm's earlier incarnations, Kemp Welch School, and now owns Potter & Pollard Chartered Accountants in Bournemouth.

He said: "It's really interesting to come and see the new building. I've been particularly impressed by the new science labs."