Day one at the biggest school in Europe

The first day of term at Nottingham academy, now the biggest school in Europe. Photograph: Fabio De Paola

Year 7 pupils line up for class for the first time. Photograph: Fabio De Paola

There are 230 year 7s starting this year. 'I hope I don’t get lost,' said Amy. 'I’ll end up walking everywhere with the map in the homework diary they’ve given us.' Photograph: Fabio De Paola

Pupils begin to get to know one another. By the time this school is complete, it will house 3,600 students, both primary and secondary Photograph: Fabio De Paola

The new pupils get to grips with their timetable. Photograph: Fabio De Paola

Break time on the first day. At its peak, the canteen will serve about 1,700 tuna pasta bakes every lunchtime. Photograph: Fabio De Paola

Chief executive of the academy, Barry Day. 'He’s an inspirational leader, most teachers would be put off by the size of this challenge,' says Graham Feek, his deputy. Photograph: Fabio De Paola

Year 7s listen to schools minister Vernon Coaker in assembly. Coaker says he is not intending to roll out schools of this size across the country. 'All I want is to see schools that work,' he says. Photograph: Fabio De Paola