CHILDREN showed off their creative flair to celebrate a school’s achievements and its transition to academy status.

Southmere Primary Academy is now sponsored by the Northern Education Trust and a number of guests, including the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Mike Gibbons, visited the Great Horton school to mark its official transition.

With the help of staff, pupils worked alongside a local artist to create art work for the new academy.

The celebration event included an appearance by the new Southmere School Choir, the school’s Bhangra group performed a medley of three Punjabi songs and this year’s Southmere’s Got Talent winner, Arman Khan, performed a street dance.

Principal Hayley Marshall said: “We are delighted to become part of the Northern Education Trust group of academies. Our good Ofsted inspection in June 2013 reflected our continued drive to improve and I, along with the Board of Governors, am delighted to be able to draw support and expertise from the Trust’s exceptional network of contacts in education and business.”

The chief executive of the Northern Education Trust, Ian Kershaw, said: “It is fabulous to see so many active and enthusiastic students dedicating time and hard work into the launch of the new academy.”