A north Suffolk school has celebrated a successful series of moves which has seen its pupil numbers shoot up from 300 to 420 at its new site.

Over the last academic year Carlton Colville Primary School, near Lowestoft, has taken on two extra years groups and re-located to a new site at Gisleham Road from its previous home in Hall Road.

The school's expansion is part of a Suffolk County Council school organisation review which has seen the three tier system replaced by a two tier educational system which abolished middle schools.

As part of the process Carlton Colville Primary School took over the site of Gisleham Middle School over three stages since September as work was carried out on the building to make it suitable for three to 11-year-olds.

Yesterday's celebration recognised how staff and pupils had helped a seamless transition between both sites - a fact which was recognised by Ofsted which rated the school as outstanding from an inspection during the move.

Pupils at the new look school are enjoying spacious class rooms, a swimming pool, a dedicated dining hall and a large outside area, which includes a castle play area.

As well as the 420 pupils there are 52 children in the nursery age group,

And most of the youngsters could be seen playing outside the school yesterday as it held its summer fete as well as the official ceremony.

Headteacher Carol Child, who has been at the helm of the school for eight years, said: 'We had three school moves across the year.

'The challenge was to continue to give the children the best education possible and make sure they were not affected in any way.

'It is a huge testament to the staff, pupils, parents and governors that we achieved an outstanding Osfted inspection during the move.

'The pupils are loving it here. They love the building and they love the grounds. They have got much more space than before.'

The move saw the school take on six new teachers.

The school organisation review saw an investment of more than �100m in school buildings across Suffolk and in the Lowestoft area eight middle schools closed due to the transition to a two tier system.

Suffolk County Council says the re-structuring will boost pupil's attainment.