A Lowestoft academy has been honoured with its second prestigious award of the year.

Ormiston Denes Academy, in Yarmouth Road, received the 'Enterprise in Education' award at the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Awards earlier this month.

This follows the academy winning the 'Education Star Award' at the Stars of Lowestoft and Waveney Awards for achieving its greatest ever GCSE results this year.

Tony Bown, vice principal, said: 'I'm absolutely delighted that we have won this award.

'It builds on the excellent progress we have made this year in other areas – such as achieving our best ever GCSE results. '

He added: 'Everyone at our academy works so hard to ensure students are well prepared for the world of work or further education and this award is so well deserved.'

The 'Enterprise in Education' award recognises schools which display excellence in developing the skills of their pupils and helping them to be successful in the workplace.

An awards spokesman said: 'The academy was awarded the title of 'Enterprise in Education' for demonstrating that it goes beyond classroom learning to enhance, enrich, and embed links with business and for creatively supporting students to relate their learning to the real world.'

All pupils, from Year 7 onwards, receive careers education and have access to a qualified careers guidance professionals for one-to-one sessions to help them plan for their future.

Additionally, all Year 10 pupils enjoy a week of valuable work experience which helps develop key skills required to succeed in the workplace.

In 2017 more than 98pc of Ormiston Denes Academy's pupils progressed to further education, training or apprenticeships.

Careers coordinator Carole Budgen has spoken of the steps taken by Ormiston Denes Academy to ensure pupils are well prepared for their future.

She said: 'We forge close links with employers and education providers, with over 45 providers attending our annual careers fair and regularly coming to school to deliver presentations and workshops to support the curriculum.

'Our pupils' futures are at the heart of everything we do and I'm delighted that our academy has won this award.'