STUDENTS at Ipswich’s newest academy will not see any major physical changes until the start of the next academic year, it was confirmed today.

Westbourne Sports College made the switch to academy status on February 1, taking on the new name of Westbourne Academy.

Students at the school have seen few changes since the change, with work instead going on behind the scenes to ensure things are in place to make improvements.

School principal, Chris Edwards, said the school leadership also decided there would be no celebration to usher in the new era.

He added: “This is just another step along a path, not a new beginning.”

The school has now changed its name and logo and the next major change for students will be a new uniform, which is due to be ready for the start of September.

It was decided that the school would keep the current uniform for the remainder of the academic year so it would not hit the pockets of parents.

Mr Edwards said: “The new uniform will mark a change towards all of us at Westbourne, raising our expectations of what we can achieve together, and I am sure parents will support us in helping our young people want to achieve more.”

Westbourne Academy is being sponsored by the Academies Enterprise Trust (ATT) and it is hoped bosses at the trust will help to turn around the fortunes of the school.

In its last Ofsted report, Westbourne was graded as needing improvement, despite achieving its best ever exam results.

Mr Edwards added: “The ATT, who work with many academies across the country, have assessed our current school and are confident that with their support will can be an outstanding school by 2014, and that is our clear target.”