“Academy status brings independence,” says Honiton Community College principal.

Honiton Community College has officially launched itself as an academy.

A special celebration was held last Friday and attended by Honiton and Tiverton MP Neil Parish, who was on hand to cut the ribbon.

Town mayor Councillor Vernon Whitlock, staff and students were also present.

Principal Glenn Smith said that however individuals felt about academies there could be no disputing that there is a desire for the town to have a first rate secondary school.

He added that the college’s vision was to be recognised as one which “empowers its students to face their own challenges, find their own solutions and shape their own futures”.

He said being an academy will help the college and its students achieve this goal.

Honiton and Tiverton MP Neil Parish said he was very happy to support the college and gaining academy status was very much a success story for the town As a parting gesture, Mr Parish was presented with a glass paperweight containing Honiton Lace by the vice chairman of governors, Keith Turner.

Mr Smith added: “Academy status brings independence.

“Freedom to source services from the best, at a competitive rate; ensuring we achieve value for money and ultimately have more funds to invest in learning resources.

“An opportunity to access academy maintenance capital funding from the government to improve the college campus facilities. Freedom and opportunity are part of our recipe for success.”

The school will still be known as Honiton Community College. It has a thriving sixth form, ever-improving performance results and a dedicated team of teachers and support staff, who are working with enthusiastic students.