A high school which was told its existence had been at risk in an damning Ofsted report has applied to become an academy sponsored by the North Norfolk Academy Trust.

Stalham High School was put in special measures in February after inspectors rated it 'inadequate' across the board.

The report said: 'The school has lacked the capacity for further improvement and it has been too slow to recognise and act upon this.'

A later monitoring report noted signs of improvement since then, and Gerard Batty, head at Hellesdon High School, has been executive headteacher since January, but will leave at the end of the school year.

The school is now applying to join the North Norfolk Academy Trust in January 2015. The trust oversees Sheringham High School and is due to become sponsor of Antingham and Southrepps Primary School in autumn.

Trust chairman Gill Baker said: 'The trust is passionate about raising standards for our young people in North Norfolk and we aim to give students the very best education. Having Stalham and Sheringham High Schools working closely together will bring about enormous benefits for both schools.'