WITH their starched blazers and pressed collars, these students were ready for more than just the first day back after half-term.
Monday marked the opening of Addington High as an academy, and the school's new incarnation includes a new, smarter uniform.
Gone are the anonymous black jumpers; in are crisp, deep blue blazers and ties, emblazoned with the school's initials in gold.
Acting head teacher James Malley said the new uniform was a "big symbolic step" reflecting changes in the school.
"I think the uniform is a symbol of change and it means students are wearing blazers to school for the first time," he said.
"Both the tie and the blazer have got the school badge now, and that is helping us create that sense of pride for the students and the school."
Addington High is being sponsored as an academy by Ravens Wood School in Bromley, in a bid to improve after being dogged by scandal and poor exam results in recent years.
It was an otherwise normal Monday for the students but the head, for one, was thinking of the longer-term benefits of the academy move.
"It brings in experts from outstanding schools and outstanding leaders from the Ravens Wood Learning Trust, and that is really helping drive the school forward," Mr Malley said.
"Our executive principal leads one of the most improved schools in London, so our main driver in terms of improvement is the additional support and expertise that brings."
The school has already made changes around students' behaviour, he added, and "the momentum of school improvement" is building.
"There will be a key focus on literacy from September," he said, "driving more curriculum time to literacy skills, particularly among younger students."
The school's executive head, John Hernandez, introduced uniform changes when he took over as head teacher at Norlington Boys' School in Waltham Forest.
He has previously told the Advertiser how he believes uniform can help set expectations around behaviour.
Dean Messenger, whose step-daughter attends the school, said: "I have to say the uniform looks very smart.
"It is easy to recognise kids from Addington High School now and gives the impression of much-needed improvements.
"Maybe it also give the pupils something to take a little pride in."
