Students at an 'outstanding' academy school were 'mesmerised' by their brand-new £14m building when they started lessons in it today.

The three-storey building at Ormiston Victory Academy in Costessey opened its doors after about two years of construction which took place largely out of the sight of the children in the old premises next door.

The building includes a hall with 240 retractable seats, two beauty salons, a 3D lecture theatre, art and science terraces and a teacher training room from which lessons can be observed without disrupting classes.

Head boy Jack Allen, 15, said: 'It's a lot better than I expected, really. Compared to the old school building, which after many years is starting to have its time, the new building is what everybody needs and deserves. We have got so much more open space and facilities and new technology.'

Head girl Rachel Hondora, 16, said: 'When you have better facilities you can concentrate much better and you have a more positive attitude from the students. I think everyone is mesmerised by the new building. It's much better.'

The main building is built around a courtyard which will be used as a dining area, and students will also be able to use a new sports building which includes a gym, dance studio and sports hall.

Headteacher Naomi Palmer, who joined the school in September, told students in the first assembly in the building that it was their reward for hard work, and they deserved it.

She said: 'To be in an environment that feels professional and feels like a university-style building is going to have an impact on what everyone expects of themselves. Everyone is going to go the extra mile.'

She added: 'When I came here I promised that we would be at the heart of the community and that's what it's for. It's for the students, their parents and their families, and now we are in we can start thinking about how we make the best use of it.'

All former students can attend an event between 3-6pm on Friday, when they can write farewell messages to the old building.