New uniform for pupils at merged Norwich school

Children at an African orphanage are set to be the big winners as the merger of two historic Norfolk independent schools picks up pace.

Thorpe House School and Langley Preparatory School yesterday unveiled a new uniform that will be worn by their pupils when the two become one from September.

But the old uniforms - burgundy for Thorpe House and green for Langley Prep - will not be wasted.

They will be shipped overseas to the Nairobi Orphanage in Kenya to be worn with pride by the children there.

The new uniform was officially launched during a fashion show, with a clutch of youngsters from both schools, sited next to each other on Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew, modelling the designs.

Simon Marfleet, current headmaster of Langley Prep, will be the headmaster of the new Thorpe House Langley Preparatory School from September.

The merger caused some consternation last year, with some pupils and parents angry at the end of 100 years of girls-only education at Thorpe House.

Mr Marfleet said a number of parents and had decided to take their girls to other single-sex schools in the county.

But he said: 'Most of our parents are happy to move down the hill to the merged site. I think since all the staff have been appointed, that has reassured a lot of parents that it's going to be a combination of the best of both schools.'

He added: 'We have a target of 140 pupils when we open, and are hoping to eventually grow to around 220.'