Confounding all the skeptics, the Marlowe Academy (Kent's first) has proved to be a real success since it first opened in September 2005.  Replacing the Ramsgate School, the academy faced real challenges, but progress has been achieved on many levels:

Ü the school roll has increased rapidly;
Ü results are very much on the up
Ü the first six students from the school have graduated to university, with a further 20 or so youngsters expected to join them in September 2008
Ü and positive first reports have been received from both HMI Ofsted.

Innovation has been at the heart of the academy's success.  Two hour long lessons, an 8.30am to 5.00pm day and a goal that no one will routinely take work home all raised eyebrows three years ago.  But it works, and many other schools are beginning to adopt similar practices. 

Being part of the Thanet Excellence Cluster has also been significant to the remarkable transformation that has taken place at Marlowe.  The whole approach to work with students is based up emotional literacy and has led to incredibly strong relationships between adults and young people as well as a real sense of community.  Learning Mentors play an essential role in the development of Study, and gifted and talented opportunities have done much to raise aspirations.