THE principal of Oxford's planned academy school has invited parents to come and find out more about the future of their children's education at a fun day.

Mike Reading, principal designate of the Oxford Academy, will meet and greet families and neighbours of the Littlemore school at an informal fun day at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow.

The event will give hundreds of parents the first chance to meet four new vice principals, who will act as Mr Reading's deputies when the school opens in September.

The Oxford Academy will take over from Peers School on the same site from September 1 - provided the Department for Schools, Children and Families gives the go ahead in the next few weeks.

A new uniform designed by pupils of Peers School will be unveiled at the fun day, and visitors will also be able to find out more about the school's partnership with Oxford United Football Club.

Mr Reading said: "The idea is to invite the community to find out a little bit more about the Oxford Academy in a more relaxed atmosphere rather than formal consultation meetings.

"I think there is a degree of excitement about things being different and there are still a number of questions that people will want to ask me and the vice principals.

"We will be able to say what the uniforms are, and we will also be able to say a little bit more about the courses we will be running and what will be different about the academy as opposed to how it is at Peers."

The principal said the new uniform would be given free to all members of Peers School who would start at the academy in September.

He also revealed the academy would be changing the format of days, with children expected to attend school earlier, and lessons and break times being altered.

Mr Reading added: "We want the academy to be a more enjoyable place for students and we want parents to feel it is a safe place for their children to go to, and we want to build on what the school has already done to improve behaviour."

Pupils at Peers are currently working on a new badge and strapline for the academy, Mr Reading said.

Other attractions at the fun day, which runs from noon to 2.30pm, will include fun workshops inviting visitors to learn a new skill, a magic show, a bouncy castle and a chance to meet representatives from the academy's main sponsors, which include the Oxford Diocese.