YOUNGSTERS dusted off their pencil cases and pulled on their blazers for the start of a new era at Gloucester Academy.

The controversial new academy opened its doors for the first time yesterday.

Children in Years 7 and 10 pupils were welcomed into the academy, with girls joining the school in Cotteswold Road for the first time.

Marketa Dunova, who was a pupil at Tredworth Junior School, was one of the first female students to join the academy.

The 11-year-old, who originally comes from the Czech Republic, said: "It is exciting. We have been talking about the school and the timetable and things on our first day.

"The uniform is nice, I like it and a lot of my friends have come here too which is good."

In February, education bosses announced that Bishops' College and Central Technology College would shut to make way for the academy.

Under the plans, Year 7 pupils will be taught on the Central site at Cotteswold Road, bringing girls to the school for the first time.

Older pupils will stay at their current schools at Bishops' College and Central, which will be known as 'schools of learning'.

Calvin Spencer, who is in Year 10, said he was getting used to seeing girls at the school and thought the academy would bring more opportunities.

The 14-year-old from Tredworth, said: "It is a bit strange to see girls walking around.

"But the academy is better than I thought it would be.

"I thought it would be a bit messed up for the first day but it is good."

Triplets Oliver and Alex Portillo – whose sister Christina goes to Ribston Hall High School – have been at Central for three years.

They said they were looking forward to the rest of the school joining them today. Alex, 14, said: "It is really exciting. There have been a lot of changes that have been made with new teachers, different classes and the internet cafe, but it is really good and I am looking forward to when everybody else comes."

His brother Oliver, who is also in Year 10, said: "It has been fun but nerve-wracking because we don't know some of the teachers. I have been here for three years so it is a bit strange that everything has changed."

It is hoped a new £21milion state-of-the-art building will be up and running by 2013 at Cotteswold Road to bring everyone together. The funding is up in the air however until after the Government's October spending review.

Jane Newns, who is teaching maths at the new academy, said she was enjoying her first day.

She said: "The children are doing really well. They have been very well behaved and I am looking forward to the rest of the year."

Jane Featherstone, deputy head on the Cotteswold Road campus, said the academy would be focusing on the transition from primary school to Year 7.

She said: "We have got tutors teaching the students a core subject and the students will predominantly be in their tutor rooms for many of their core lessons, with the teachers moving around like they would in primary school.

"For the other subjects like technology students will have to go to their classrooms.

"It is lovely to see them and it has been a good start to the academy."