School of thought

Once the Magnus Church of England School has achieved academy status, none of Newark’s secondary education will be under the direct control of the Nottinghamshire education authority.

As the names indicate, the former Grove School (now the Newark Academy) and the planned free school (Newark Exemplar Business Academy) have already gone down the academy route.

Problems associated with secondary education in the town have been well documented, and have manifested themselves in the ‘Lincolnshire drift’ that sees pupils crossing the county border to continue their schooling.

But the fightback is on.

The Newark Academy is looking to a bright future — which will include a rebuild — under the direction of its sponsor, Lincoln College.

The Magnus is also looking ahead with the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham in place as its sponsor.

The Magnus is steeped in history and tradition, but has undergone change before.

The original school was founded in 1531 in Appletongate by cleric Thomas Magnus. The school in Earp Avenue was built in 1909.

Originally a grammar school, it became a comprehensive in the 1970s.

Its lowest point came in 2008 when it was placed in special measures by Ofsted.

This latest change is designed to see improvements that have been made since then continue under the leadership of headteacher Mrs Gil Barker.

A new dawn is breaking for secondary education in Newark and, most importantly, that’s got to be good for pupils.