A headteacher who is quitting the day before a school becomes an academy has been praised for his 'professionalism, commitment and diligence'.

Paul Marsh, headteacher at Smithdon High School, in Hunstanton, is leaving on November 30, in order to seek other opportunities.

The school, which has 610 students on its roll, is set to reopen the following day as an academy within the West Norfolk Academies' Trust.

Mr Marsh said: 'I have enjoyed my two and a half years in this community enormously, and I will very much miss the students, parents, staff and governors. However, I am leaving in the knowledge that the future is secure for our students. I wish the trust every success with the continued improvement of the school and, more importantly, I wish our students every success in their future lives.'

Huw Griffiths, the school's chairman of governors, said: 'Paul joined us at an extremely pivotal point in shaping our future, as we made the transition from local authority school to an academy.

'Through his professionalism, commitment and diligence we, as governors, were very clear on the options open to the school when becoming an academy and, crucially, able to see which would be the best solution for the staff and students, going forward.'