HERE’S one way to make a point. A gleaming steel obelisk has been unveiled outside Poole’s first academy.

The five-metre tall structure at St Aldhelm’s Academy was designed to portray a new image for the school and instil pride into the pupils.

Alison Fee, the academy’s business development manager, said the obelisk represented the community’s “resilience and determination to forge a bright and ever-changing future.”

A special dedication of the obelisk was made by Christopher Herbert, delegate of the Archbishop of Salisbury.

The obelisk was a gift to the new academy from the Diocese of Salisbury, which jointly sponsors the school with Bournemouth University.

The design was based on the academy’s logo, which features a triangular ‘A’ intended to replicate a spire.

It is topped with a cross to portray the Christian ethics of the new school.

The obelisk was designed by Dorset architect Jestyn Coke and built by Somerset firm KDDF of Chard.

The stone slab on which the structure sits even comes from St Aldhelm’s Quarry in Purbeck.

St Aldhelm was chosen as the inspiration for the academy as legend has it leaves burst from his staff when it was planted in the ground, symbolising new growth.

The academy opened in place of the former Rossmore Community College in September.

The aim of the academy transformation was to lift standards after Rossmore was given notice to improve by Ofsted in 2008.