For a number of well-documented reasons, a once respected seat of learning had well and truly lost its way.

At the lowest point, even closure was being talked about as a real possibility.

That would have been a tragedy with almost unimaginable consequences. Not just for the school, but for the wider Mansfield community.
But how matters have changed over a very short time.

First came the announcement of the founding of a new school on the site – the Samworth Church Academy, sponsored by leading East Midlands businessman David Samworth and the Southwell and Nottingham Diocese of the Church of England.

Now educational opportunities for thousands of youngsters are to be further enhanced with the announcement of the formation of a partnership with the exclusive independent Scottish boarding school, Gordonstoun.

From being virtually 'down and out', the old Sherwood Hall is now undergoing what promises to be a remarkable transformation that is certain to be studied with interest by academics far and wide.

Both schools are stressing that the new partnership will be formed on an equal footing. But there are unlikely to be any prizes for guessing whose pupils will be most excited at the prospect . . .