A Great Yarmouth school is preparing to take on extra pupils as it grows into a primary - and has overhauled its logo to mark the historic change.

Eastern Daily Press: Saffron Layzell, six, wearing a cardigan displaying the new logo for Southtown Primary, which she designed. Picture: submittedSaffron Layzell, six, wearing a cardigan displaying the new logo for Southtown Primary, which she designed. Picture: submitted (Image: Archant)

From September, Southtown Infant School will become Southtown Primary, and will take on youngsters from reception age all the way through to 11.

Its expansion is part of a £2.3m investment plan being put forward by education chiefs to address the shortage of school places in the borough.

Under the scheme Edward Worlledge Junior School will also take on extra pupils and is set to double its places.

Ahead of its relaunch, Southtown pupils were challenged to come up with a logo for their new school - and a winner has now been picked.

Saffron Layzell impressed judges with her design, which featured 'wonderful, bright colours', the school's new name and a tree, representing its growth to primary status and its ethos of outdoor learning.

The six-year-old was presented with a certificate, book token and the very first school cardigan to carry the new logo after winning the top prize.

Southtown's pupil intake is set to rise from 180 - 210 gradually, with a year group added to the school every academic year until September 2017.

Elaine Glendinning, headteacher at Southtown - who launched the logo competition - said teachers were looking forward to having pupils for longer.

'We never like losing them at seven,' she added.

'It's obviously going to be better for the children because they'll be working with teachers who know them.

'Research shows primary school education is a better model. If they leave at seven, they don't attain as well.'

Dawn Kightley, headteacher at Edward Worlledge, has also welcomed the expansion plans, which were announced earlier this year, and said the schools' growth would provide a real boost to Southtown.

She said: 'I think it's really exciting news for the area because under the last reorganisation it didn't happen for us. We didn't have new buildings or lots of money spent on us.

'It's Southtown's time to celebrate, things are happening for the children and the families and it's really positive.'