THE dramatic turnaround in fortunes for Oak View Academy in Winsford is now being put down to an earlier start time and an extended school day.

Oak View Academy is now officially one of the best schools in the country for raising standards in reading, writing and maths, and has made another step in its upwards journey from being ranked the second-worst school in the country three years ago as Greenfields.

The pupil’s progress in reading and writing is ranked in the top five per cent, and top 10 per cent in maths, according to analysis based on Year 6 SATs results.

And teachers at the school are now putting the results down to the ‘brave decision’ of extending the school day, starting at 8.30am, as opposed to 9am, and introducing compulsory after-hours clubs.

Staff say that they want to give the children the extra classroom time they need, without taking away the extra-curricular activities such as swimming.

Headteacher Fiona Rimmer, who led the re-launch as Oak View in 2014, said: “Some of our parents and children remember the school as it was, so the extended school day and extra commitment we ask for has been a big change, but we’ve had lots of positive feedback.

“We are a completely different school in every way which you can see in children’s behaviour and attitude to learning, and we’re full of ideas and determination to make things even better in the future.”

After-school clubs include everything from yoga - helping children to relax and meditate - through to a variety sports and a ‘thinking club’ – aimed at broadening children’s awareness of the world.

Fiona added: “The school is unrecognisable from what it was and I’m very proud of our children and staff, and the hard work they put in each and every day.

“For us, an extended school day is necessary to ensure we are getting the results in the classroom while delivering our vision of opening children's eyes to a world of possibility.

“We are not just about results. By approaching learning in this holistic way we see them flourish in confidence and ability in all areas and, ultimately, improve their life chances in the future.”