A HEADTEACHER has pledged his future to a mission to raise educational standards on Teesside.

Eddie Brady outlined his promise as diggers began work on a new super-school at Middlesbrough.

He is headteacher at Unity City Academy, which opened in September in the buildings of nearby Langbaurgh and Keldholme schools, which it has superseded.

The complex, which will replace those buildings, should be completed early in 2004 and will take 1,230 students and 1,500 adult learners.

Mr Brady said: "Unity City Academy opened its doors just two months ago, but we already have a distinct schools ethos based on smartness, mutual respect and hard work.

"We've settled in well and have an excellent team who are determined to deliver our mission to raise achievement for all our students and make a significant contribution to lifelong learning in the community of east Middlesbrough."

He added: "We've hit the ground running."

Private services group Amey is putting £2m into the super-school.

Managing director of Amey's educational division, David McGahey, said: "We're delighted to see work getting underway. The Unity City Academy will be a major educational asset in which the whole community will be able to share. We are committed to promoting life-long learning and want to make the academy accessible to all."

Mr McGahey, who also chairs the trust which runs the academy, added: "Ensuring that our young people gain the qualifications, personal skills and the will to succeed is absolutely essential for the future well-being and prosperity of Middlesbrough.

"It is a future we are committed to investing in."