YEAR seven pupils aren't the only new kids on the block at St Aldhelm's Academy this term.

The school in Herbert Avenue, Poole, has also welcomed 13 new teachers.

New staff members have taken up positions across the Academy and join an existing staff of 25, led by new principal Sian Thomas.

The appointments are the latest stage in the transformation of the school which is making rapid improvements since being taken over by the Bournemouth-based Ambitions Academies Trust (AAT) in June.

Just two years ago it was branded the worst school in the country after just three per cent of its Year 11 students reached the national benchmark standard of at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English and maths.

Last year the figure rose to 17 per cent and this year saw 22 per cent making the grade, just weeks after AAT took over. Leaders are confident there will be a bigger rise next year.

"Thirteen might be unlucky for some, but not for St Aldhelm's - this fabulous new team of specialist teachers which will help us take our teaching to a new level" said Sian.

"All of the new teachers hail from successful schools across Dorset. We now offer a ratio of one teacher to every nine pupils."

AAT has a track record in transforming underperforming schools and already runs Tregonwell Academy and Queen's Park Academy in Bournemouth, which have both been rated as Outstanding by government inspectors. It also runs Kings Park, Manorside and Longspee academies.

The Trust's Chief Executive, Brian Hooper, said: "When St Aldhelm's Academy joined AAT this summer it joined a family of academies all striving for a common goal - to be Outstanding.

"Parents who choose St Aldhelm's can expect outstanding leadership and a team of specialist teachers dedicated to ensuring all our pupils receive an education which helps them reach their full potential."

St Aldhelm's is holding an open evening on Thursday October 1, from 6-8pm.