A HEADTEACHER has spoken of his delight as his school prepares for a major transformation.

Leiston High School will become the Alde Valley School in September - welcoming pupils as young as 11 for the first time in its history.

As part of this it has been holding a series of “transition days” for youngsters who will be moving to Seaward Avenue later this year.

It gives children a taster of high school life and allows them to meet staff ahead of the new term.

Headteacher Ian Flintoff said he was delighted with the level of feedback from the induction days – especially the large volume of positive comments from pupils and parents.

The school’s transformation coincides with Suffolk County Council’s decision to close Leiston and Saxmundham Middle Schools and move from a three to a two-tier education system in the Suffolk Coastal area. The project includes building five new classrooms, a library and sixth form centre.

Mr Flintoff said work is on schedule and contractors will be handing over the newly refurbished areas in late August. The school was also now fully staffed in all areas of the curriculum – with the highest level of staff retention for many years, he added.

“This can only be a boost for the young people we educate,” he said. “Retaining high quality teaching staff in particular gives our young people the confidence that they will be able to learn without interruptions.”

He said he would also like to thank staff and governors at the local middle schools for helping manage the transition to two tier schooling.

The school’s transformation – which also includes a new uniform and school logo – will see pupil numbers increase by around 260 to 950.