An outstanding north Suffolk high school is among a select few across England that will open as academies in the next few days.Hartismere High at Eye has been given permission to change its status when it opens its doors for the new school year.

An outstanding north Suffolk high school was among a select few across England due to open as an academy this week.

Hartismere High at Eye was given permission to change its status when it opened its doors for the new school year.

Headteacher James McAtear said: 'Becoming an academy is in large part possible because we have the full support of our community.

'Our parents were picked out by Ofsted as being 'overwhelmingly supportive'. Our governors bring a tremendous commitment and wealth of experience to the school and our staff share a common bond of commitment to the school that I have encountered nowhere else in my career. This gives us the basis to become Suffolk's first independent state school.'

The current government has given all schools the freedom to apply to become academies, including primaries and special schools. Those rated outstanding at their last inspection, including Martham Primary and Hartismere High, were given permission to switch without the need for ministerial scrutiny.