A HESTER'S Way school is in line for an official opening strokes ahead of the rest, thanks to a five-time Olympic gold medallist.

Sporting legend Sir Steve Redgrave will be dropping into All Saints' Academy next week to open the sports facilities at the £24.6m institution.

The former rower, who won five golds in successive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000, will be judging a rowing competition at the school before giving pupils a talk on setting and achieving goals.

The event, which is open only to pupils and invited dignitaries, comes as the new school, which opened in September, enters the second half of its first term.

Principal Peter Kingham, who has previously said he believes the school has the potential to produce future world leaders, said the school had started brilliantly.

"I was pleased how our students responded to the new building, new staff and new systems," he said.

"I am especially pleased that within a few days we were able to get on with our core purpose of educating the young people, and the first part of our vision of providing outstanding education in a Christian environment.

"Next term we move up a gear and will be expecting students to take more responsibility for their own learning."

The new sixth form has been a resounding success, according to Mr Kingham, with more than 120 students joining, and a wide range of courses offered.

"All Saints' Academy is a model of success for the rest of the country already but watch this space, we will have more to offer in the months to come," he added.

The academy will be officially opened on Tuesday, All Saints' Day, by Bishop of Clifton Bishop Declan Lang and Bishop of Gloucester Bishop Michael Perham.

They will bless the wings of the school and then an Order of Service for invited dignitaries will follow.

The school was funded jointly by Gloucestershire County Council and sponsors the Church of England Diocese of Gloucester and the Roman Catholic Clifton Diocese.

Bishop Declan said: "I am looking forward to the official opening of All Saints' Academy, which is a joint venture between the dioceses of Clifton and Gloucester.

"Together we are showing our commitment to young people, helping them flourish as individuals and to become active members of our communities.

"All Saints Day celebrates the great potential that each one of us can become."