An improving Ipswich school which recently posted its best ever GCSE results has the potential to become outstanding.

That is the view of new Westbourne Academy principal Garry Trott today, who has also hinted the Marlow Road school may one day soon get a new building.

Mr Trott, who took over at the start of this academic year, has praised the work done so far to improve the academy in terms of pupils’ attainment and said he has every confidence that can continue.

He added: “The academy has already seen significant improvement over the last year. Clearly that is reflected in much better results for the young people.

“I think it is also reflected in higher expectations of students, attendance, uniform and improvement in the quality of teaching.

“I feel I am coming to build on that and keep that pace and momentum for change going.

“I think we have amazingly dedicated and committed staff who do go the extra mile and part of what I want to do is ensure that all staff are supported and challenged to give a first class education.

“The academy is a very positive place to be.”

At the top of Mr Trott’s agenda this year is to raise the aspirations of both pupils and parents.

The school also recently had a new ICT network installed, but one of the major future goals for Mr Trott is to see his new school either refurbished or to have a new building created.

He added: “My belief is it should be Westbourne’s turn.

“I think ideally you would want a new building because the demands for a learning environment are very different to when this school was originally designed. Clearly a lot can be achieved through refurbishment as well.

“It is about finding out how other schools have gone about getting funding.

“I think I would like to see it achieved within five years, but how feasible it is I don’t know.”

Two years have now passed since the academy, then known as Westbourne Sports College, was told it required improvement by Ofsted.

But Mr Trott and his team are confident the school is on the right track, especially after it saw 52% of pupils gain five or more A*-C GCSE grades this summer.

“I think the academy is on a positive pathway to becoming securely good and then our long term aim is to become outstanding,” he said.