A 'top' student who was hit by a car outside his school is on the mend, his college director has said.

Dereham Sixth Form College student Jack Crossley, 16, was hit by a car outside the gates of his school, on Crown Road, on Tuesday afternoon.

The accident, involving a silver MG ZR, happened at around 3.30pm and the road was closed for around three hours.

Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were quickly on scene and Jack was taken by ambulance to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

College director Phyllis O'Grady said: 'He has got a slight fracture and the doctors are confident it will heal in time.

'He will need at least a week off college and might get headaches for a few weeks.

'It is good to hear that he is okay as we were all very worried yesterday.

'The emergency services were very cautious in case there was a neck injury.

'The ambulance service get a hard time in the press but they were very professional and they were on the scene very swiftly.'

She added the emergency services had praised students for leaving the scene in a sensible manner, allowing them to get on with their jobs.

Ms O'Grady described Jack, who came to the college from Swaffham's Nicholas Hamond Academy, as a committed pupil.

She said: 'Jack is an absolutely top student, he has a 100pc attendance record and has made the step up to Year 12 very well.

'I was quite touched when I got a text from his parents last night to say that he was worried about his school books and wanted to know if someone had picked them up.'

The accident has sparked concerns over safety outside the college.

Students are planning to discuss campaigning for a crossing outside the school, an idea Ms O'Grady said she would support.

She said: 'Talking to the police Crown Road does have issues, not just when school comes out.

'Although this was not the case this time, we do know that people speed down that road.

'There is talk amongst students that they want to get a crossing which I think is a very good idea.

'I think the student council is planning to meet today or tomorrow to discuss it.'

Do you think there is a need for road safety measures on Crown Road? Write, giving your full name, address and contact details, to EDPletters@archant.co.uk.