It is all change at another Ipswich school after Ormiston Endeavour Academy announced its principal was leaving.

Samantha Penn, principal of the former Thurleston High School, is moving to take up a position with Norfolk County Council.

Christine Woods will be the new principal of the school in Defoe Road.

Last year 45% students got five or more A*-C GCSE grades, including English and maths – a drop from 50% in 2013.

That year the school was also told to improve after it received a “requires improvement” Ofsted mark.

A spokeswoman for Ormiston Endeavour Academy thanked Ms Penn for her “commitment” to the school. She said: “After Easter, we will be delighted to welcome our new principal, Christine Woods. Christine has a wealth of experience in education – she already understands the ethos of Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) schools, has spent many years as a well-respected school leader in Norfolk, and joins us from the excellent Hobart High School.

“We remember Christine well from her time working in OAT schools previously, and she really impressed us with her strong educational philosophy, ensuring every child has access to an outstanding education no matter what their background may be.

“She is an ambitious leader who will expect the absolute best from all her staff and students, and will drive improvements being made at Ormiston Endeavour Academy.”

Thurleston High School was the second school in Ipswich to become an academy in 2012. It followed Ipswch Academy, formerly Holywells High School.

Academies are publicly-funded independent schools, free from local authority and national government control.

It means schools can set their own pay and conditions for staff, decide on the curriculum as well as giving them the opportunity to change the length of their terms and school days.

Yesterday the Star revealed that Ipswich Academy’s principal and sponsor were to change after the government called for action to raise standards.

The Learning Schools Trust and executive principal Pamela Hutchison will leave in the summer.

Only 19% of students at the academy achieved five or more A* to C GCSE grades including English and maths last year.

Ms Woods is currently deputy Head at Hobart High School, which is rated as good by Ofsted.

She has previously worked at two other Ormiston Academies Trust schools, also all in Norfolk – Ormiston Victory Academy and Cliff Park Academy.