As the parent of a child at the Clarendon Academy in Trowbridge, I feel moved to write in praise of this school, which has undergone such a transformation in recent years and continues to grow from strength to strength.

My daughter recently had a problem grasping some aspects of the curriculum in one subject and I was bowled over at the level of help she received, with the tutor even phoning me in a very friendly way to suggest additional help we could give her at home.

It is now among the highest Ofsted-rated comprehensive schools in West Wiltshire, attaining Good with Outstanding leadership in the recent Ofsted inspection, somewhat towering over the other comprehensive schools in the local towns of Trowbridge, Market Lavington, Frome, Westbury, Bradford on Avon and Melksham.

However, Ofsted is not the only measure we should apply.

I think anyone would have to agree Clarendon students are among the smartest of children, in the uniform which the kids love, and amongst the most well mannered I have come across. The emphasis seems to be all about producing good, well-rounded citizens, with academic results being a bit part of the picture, but by no means the only objective. My child has never been bullied, nor, to my knowledge, have any of her friends, and seems to come home more and more inspired to learn with each week that passes.

I have no other vested interest in the school other than having a child who attends, but, after a period of the school being viewed as less than favourable in the past, I felt a parent’s current perspective might be only fair.

Natalie Turner, Broadmead, Trowbridge.