CHANGES are afoot at James Hornsby School after the school became an academy - with the number one target to make it the best school in Basildon.

A new school uniform, new school name and new opportunities are just some of the new features that have been put in place following the Laindon school becoming an academy at the start of October.

Stuart Reynolds is the new head of school at James Hornsby, leaving his post as Deputy Head of King John in Thundersley, and says he wants to make the school the best in Basildon – and wants to do it now.

“This is a really exciting time for the school. There are lots of good schools in Basildon but we want to be the best and know that is achievable. We want to raise expectations and by changing the name we can start today.”

“I have received letters and phone calls full of positive comments from students and parents who say they are extremely pleased with the new school uniform. It looks very smart and noone has had a bad word to say about it. The children walk around with a smile and they are proud of their appearance.

“We have very lofty ambitions and want parents to say ‘James Hornsby is the best school in Basildon’, and that fight begins right now.”