A 15-mile run across the Island will kick off celebrations to mark a school being taken over by its new sponsor.

Oasis Community Learning became the sole backer of the renamed Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey last month.

A group of 20 pupils and staff will be led on the run by the Rev Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis, and David Millar, executive principal of the Sheppey school on Wednesday, February 12.

Joining them will be more than 30 athletes and staff from other sites with the same sponsor in Hextable in Kent and Coulsdon and Shirley Park, which are both in Croydon.

From the start line in Leysdown Coastal Park the runners will visit 12 schools – all 11 primaries and the Academy’s East site at Minster – along the route.

Pupils from those schools will be giving out water and releasing balloons to mark the runners’ arrival.

Residents are also invited to cheer them on along the way.

Teams will take it in turns to run different stages of the journey but they will all join together for the final leg from St Edward’s Primary, along the canal bank to the finish line on the west site in Marine Parade, Sheerness.

They will be cheered in by pupils and a simultaneous balloon release will be launched from both east and west sites.

Mr Chalke said: “As a passionate runner, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Isle of Sheppey becoming part of our Oasis community.”

Other events planned after the run include the unveiling of a ceremonial plaque at the West site, special assemblies led by Mr Chalke, art, craft, dance and music workshops for pupils and the burial of a time capsule.

A memorial garden in remembrance of academy students and staff who have passed away will also be unveiled.

There will be a tea party for community groups and an evening reception attended by the Mayor of Swale, borough councillors, Department for Education representatives, community partners and Sheppey groups.

Mr Millar said: “This day of celebration marks the beginning of our journey to become an outstanding centre of learning for the whole Island.

“It’s going to be a fantastic day. Students and staff are really looking forward to welcoming everyone to our academy and showing them the progress we have already made.”