A SCHOOL in Nailsea has changed its name, its uniform and has a new principal to mark its change to academy status.

Children returned to the new Kingshill Church School after Easter and were greeted by their new principal Margaret Gwynne.

The school in Pound Lane has converted to an academy, sponsored by the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust.

The new start for the school was marked by a special assembly and ribbon-cutting led by Mrs Gwynne and the school chaplain Reverend Tony Roake.

Mrs Gwynne said: “First impressions count for a lot and, judging by this morning, I am confident that Kingshill Church School, with the support of the staff, parents and Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust, will achieve well deserved success.

“The assembly was the perfect way to start this new phase in Kingshill’s history.”

The trust presented the children with a teddy bear dressed in the new school sweatshirt, which the reception class will now choose a name for.

The trust took over the running of the school from the local authority on April 1 and has already introduced changes including the appointment of Mrs Gwynne, a new executive principal, teaching staff and new members of the governing body.