THE much-maligned Gateway Community College turned over a new leaf last week when it opened its doors as an academy for the first time.

The college, which is made up of the former Torells and St Chad's schools, in Grays and Tilbury respectively, has become the first such school in the county and will now be known as the Gateway Academy.

A new "leadership" team has been appointed at the academy to replace out-going headmaster Mark Morrall who left the school on a high after guiding 32 per cent of the last batch of GCSE students to five or more A* to C grades.

The new team of Margaret Wilson, executive principal and Gary Pratt, head of academy, will now be keen to build on Mr Morrall's work ahead of the school's move to a brand new home on the outskirts of Tilbury in 2008.

"We will build a real can do' culture throughout the Academy." said Margaret and Gary in a joint statement. "There are many fantastic students, talented teachers and examples of good practice.

People want to be involved, because it is an exciting time for the school and for the community. In two years time we will be able to look and say look at where we are now' and that is what makes this such a rewarding and exciting job.

"We are looking to lay the foundations of an excellent school here, and to do that means involving everyone. We have got to have everybody understanding that this is both for them and about them.

"The Academy will provide high quality facilities; it will give students, staff and the community the opportunities they need to enhance educational achievements and fulfil aspirations for our young people."

The Academy is sponsored by the Ormiston Trust, a children's charity that has put £2m into the project. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) have put in £20m.

Under the academy system, the council would virtually relinquish control of the college, which will be in the hands of the school's governors,the Ormiston Trust and the DfES.

The college opened in September 2004 following the merger of failing schools Torells and St Chad's.