There will be a place for any child that wants to learn, according to the man set to take charge of the new Peers Academy in Oxford.

Mike Reading has been appointed to replace current headteacher Lorna Caldicott - provided plans are approved by county councillors in November. Mr Reading spoke to the Oxford Mail at a meeting in Blackbird Leys community centre on Thursday to promote the academy, and outlined his vision for the future.

Quick to respond to speculation that the academy would be an exclusive institution, Mr Reading said: "There is clearly some misunderstanding within the local community on this issue.

"The children in Peers at the moment are reassured that if they want to stay and be part of the academy, then the door is open.

"There won't be any added hoops for them to jump through."

Mr Reading said he also wanted to build on the school's achievements under Ms Caldicott. He said: "What Lorna has done at Peers is fantastic, and has achieved more than many had anticipated.

"What I would like to do is incorporate the best practices currently in place with some new exciting initiatives. Part of that will be through the new facilities we will have."

Ultimately, Mr Reading said he wanted to restore people's pride in the school and the local community, delivering an education that excited and engaged pupils.

He said: "We want to help youngsters develop, not just academically, but in terms of values and celebrating their culture and the community they live in.

"We will be using specialisms in maths, science, information and computing technology and sport as a vehicle to engage them and motivate them to achieve."

He is now urging members of the local community to come out and take part in the consultation process over the autumn.

Mr Reading said: "We hope that parents, members of the community and children will use this consultation process to come out and let us know their views."

The first pupils would attend the new academy from September 2008.

A £25m building project on the Peers site would also get under way, which would be complete by September 2010.

SUPPORTERS of the move to set up the academy at Peers have pointed to the success of The Marlowe Academy in Ramsgate, Kent.

The former comprehensive school has seen a dramatic turn around in results since gaining academy status in 2005 with passes at A* to C grade at GCSE more than doubling.

Like Peers, the school has also worked to improve links with local universities to promote higher education. This included extending the school day and setting up study groups. This was made possible by improved facilities from significant sponsorship by millionaire local businessman Roger de Hann, the former owner of Saga Holidays.