Students at a newly named school are sporting a different uniform for the start of term.

Purple is the new colour for pupils at Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy in Hitchin, a change coinciding with the school becoming an academy.

The status means the school in Fishponds Road does not have to follow the national curriculum and can set its own term times. Academies also receive funding direct from the government, and not from the local education authority.

There has also been changes in leadership at the school, as well as a new logo.

New Headteacher Sarah Smith said: “The children are very excited to be wearing a new smart uniform. We are extremely proud of our heritage and our historic place as Hitchin’s oldest primary school. That is why we have used the iconic clock tower as our new school logo.”

As part of its change to an academy, Wilshere-Dacre aims to offer more opportunities for children, with plans for an indoor planetarium and outdoor cinema to open in October.