PUPILS at a Gorleston primary school will be studying in better surroundings after Norfolk received a lump sum of £17.6m to refurbish or build new classrooms in schools across the county.

PUPILS at a Gorleston primary school will be studying in better surroundings after Norfolk received a lump sum of £17.6m to refurbish or build new classrooms in schools across the county.

Peterhouse Primary at Magdalen Square, is the only school in the borough which will benefit from Wednesday's announcement.

The vital improvements which could make a real difference to youngsters' motivation and results are set to get under way as soon as April after the government gave the go-ahead to £3.55bn worth of building plans across England.

Peterhouse headteacher Tony Harvey said the work would “transform learning” at the school and help it open up its facilities to the public.

“It is absolutely fantastic and I am sure the whole community is delighted,” he said. “Planning permitting, builders could be on site on April 1 next year, so it's all happening really quickly and could be completed within the year.”

Peterhouse, formerly a first and middle school, recently became a primary following changes in the county's county's education system.