DEAN Academy in Lydney welcomed prospective students and their parents to an open evening last week.

The new head teacher, Tom Beveridge, said: “Teachers brought their subjects to life through all sorts of fun and interactive activities. We had castle building and gruesome medieval surgery demonstrations in history and instrument-making in music.

“Origami and string

art activities introduced maths, with many exciting experiments in science. These included maggot racing, slime-making, and organ dissection. There were also demonstrations of woodworking and cooking in the technology workshops.”

The parent of one Year Six child at Lydney Church of England Primary School said: “My son has really enjoyed the evening, particularly the activities and the chance to sample the food in the school restaurant. It’s a great way to introduce him to the academy and a good opportunity for parents to meet the teachers and see the facilities that are available here.”

Tom, who gave an address to parents at the event, added: “It was a pleasure to meet so many parents and members of the local community during our open days and evening. It is our goal to be a true community comprehensive and we hope to continue to work with parents to go from strength-to-strength.

“I would like to thank the staff and students who put on a number of exhibitions and demonstrations for open evening. We very much look forward to welcoming our new intake of students for our induction week in the summer term.”