A Norfolk school is looking more “business-like” after students embraced a change of dress code.The new academic year has seen a major rebranding exercise at Charles Burrell High School in Thetford, which has a new name, new uniform, and temporary change in leadership.

A Norfolk school is looking more “business-like” after students embraced a change of dress code.

The new academic year has seen a major rebranding exercise at Charles Burrell High School in Thetford, which has a new name, new uniform, and temporary change in leadership.

The school, which is now called Charles Burrell Humanities School, after achieving specialist status earlier this year, has ditched the polo shirts and sweatshirts and adopted a more formal blazer and tie approach.

Officials praised the response to the change, which has seen all of its year 7 intake wearing the new uniform and more than half of older students voluntarily following suit.

Jane Holland, assistant headteacher and director of specialism at the school, said all the students, governors, and parents were consulted about the changes last year and the pupils chose the design of the new tie.

“I have seen such a transformation. You can see by the way they walk in the new uniform that they look more confident and smarter. It has been a really positive experience for them,” she said.

The uniform change comes as the school became a specialist school in humanities, focusing on English, history, and drama. Rosemary Musker High School in Thetford has also started the September term as 'specialist school for technology'.

Nancy Robinson, who has been headteacher at Charles Burrell for the last eight years, has become executive head of both Thetford high schools to work on proposals for a college in the town.

Cathy Spillane is acting headteacher at Charles Burrell Humanities School, whilst Liz Redpath is acting headteacher at Rosemary Musker after John Lucas moved to pastures new after two years in charge.