A Lowestoft high school has begun a new era following its conversion to academy status.

Brighter futures are set to be in store for Denes High School students as they returned to the classroom yesterday (Monday) and began attending the new Ormiston Denes Academy.

The former Denes High School was placed on special measures following an Ofsted inspection last November, which found it was inadequate in four key areas.

But since then a monitoring report by watchdogs has noted improved standards – and having now officially become an academy on June 1, it will benefit from a sponsor's guidance and support to improve provision.

The Ormiston Denes Academy will also benefit from the greater flexibility that the status brings, with Ormiston's goal to support its academies to further improve the education and life-chances of their children.

A new logo has been created for the Ormiston Denes Academy, which draws upon the school's 100-year heritage as it looks forward to its future.

Uniforms are being updated for September with the new logo, and new house ties will be provided for all current students, free of charge.

Students have already started studying a refreshed curriculum with further changes planned for September.

Peter Marshall, headteacher of Denes High School, will now become the principal of the new academy. He said: 'I am proud to have forged a partnership with one of the country's leading academy sponsors.

'Ormiston Academies Trust shares our long-held values and will ensure that we continue to focus on developing our students' academic, social and practical skills to allow them to lead a rich and fulfilling life.

'For more than 100 years The Denes has been progressive and innovative; we have already laid plans to radically overhaul our curriculum and support structures,' he added.

Professor Toby Salt, chief executive of Ormiston Academies Trust, said: 'I am looking forward to working closely with Ormiston Denes Academy staff and students to create an outstanding academy in Lowestoft.'

The trust already sponsors two Suffolk academies at Ormiston Sudbury Academy, Sudbury, and Ormiston Endeavour Academy in Ipswich, and two Norfolk academies at Ormiston Victory Academy, Norwich, and Ormiston Venture Academy, Great Yarmouth.