FIFTEEN hundred balloons were released to celebrate a Braintree secondary school relaunching as an academy.
Formerly the Tabor Science College, the Tabor Academy was formed after the school received a notice to improve by Ofsted inspectors in March 2011.
Since then, the school's leadership team has changed and its inspections have improved.
In January 2013, the education consultation firm Lilac Sky Schools began working with the school to ensure that it achieves the grade Outstanding within three years.
Parents and the local community were invited to an evening with Champagne and canapes to formally mark the launch of Tabor Academy.
They were treated to a magic show by Michael J Fitch, renowned for his spoon-bending trick, and the launch of 1,500 balloons blown up by students during the day – one to signify each of the pupils at the Academy.
Rhianna Evans, 14, said: "We had to get a system going to make sure that they were all inflated ready for the launch. It was lovely to see them all float away. It was quite windy so I hope mine goes the furthest."
The student whose tag is returned from the furthest location will receive a £100 prize.
Staff and students gathered for a celebratory assembly, where pupils performed, speeches were made and the start of a new Tabor was marked.
It was formally opened by education minister Matthew Hancock and Brooks Newmark, MP for Braintree.
Steven Clark, principal of the academy, said: "We felt it was important to hold on to the heritage of the school, thus keeping the name. We are proud of Tabor and all that it stands for. It is important that we hold on to all that is successful and already works.
"We can then support those successes with the drive and input from our sponsors, working together to ensure that Tabor Academy strives to provide the families of Braintree with a first-class education."
Trevor Averre Beeson, director for education at Lilac Sky Schools, said: "We are delighted to welcome Tabor Academy into our family of schools.
"We are excited about the potential the school has and look forward to working alongside the staff and students in ensuring Tabor Academy becomes an outstanding school."
