A new era starts for Swaffham's Hamond's High School today as the largest part of a £10m refurbishment is opened.The project is the most expensive and extensive of its kind that Norfolk County Council has launched and will provide “a first class learning environment for students”.

A new era starts for Swaffham's Hamond's High School today as the largest part of a £10m refurbishment is opened.

The project is the

most expensive and extensive of its kind that Norfolk County Council has launched and will provide “a first class learning environment for students”.

This phase of the project sees the completion of classrooms, including science laboratories, specialist IT suites and facilities for work-related studies, for use by the whole school.

It will complement a new teaching block, opened in September and shortly to be transformed into sixth form facilities.

Headteacher Yve Srodzinski said: “We are delighted to be moving into a major part of our remodelled, refurbished school. It is so good to see Norfolk County Council supporting us in providing a first class learning environment for students in Swaffham.

“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has worked so hard on the building project so far.”

Rosalie Monbiot, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for children's services, said: “We are currently investing millions of pounds in schools across the county and this is the biggest of a series of works to transform the Norfolk's school buildings. These new classrooms will provide a real boost to both the school's current pupils and many generations of pupils to come.

Pupils will be able to learn in wonderful new facilities which motivate and inspire them to succeed.”

The project is being carried out by Norfolk County Council in partnership with NPS Property Consultants Ltd, with Mansell as the constructor partner.

Work started in July 2006 and is expected to be complete by early 2009 when the school will have a new art block, a new block for modern foreign languages, new technology classrooms, a new sixth form, new office accommodation and a new hall and dining room.

The tennis courts will also be moved.