A major multi-million pound remodelling aimed at bringing a Gorleston primary school under one roof, is the first in a Norfolk-wide programme of improvements rolling out over 15 years.

A major multi-million pound remodelling aimed at bringing a Gorleston primary school under one roof, is the first in a Norfolk-wide programme of improvements rolling out over 15 years.

The plans at Peterhouse have been triggered by reorganisation and show new nursery and reception classrooms, a new entrance and offices, new kitchen and dining areas and outdoor learning areas.

The project which also includes a new learning and resource centre for pupils and community will cost �3.473m.

It seeks to amalgamate the first and middle schools on the middle school site which will house all 270 pupils.

Stephen Edwards, capital programme manager at Norfolk County Council, said that all pupils would move to the first school site while the nine to 12 month project was underway.

Extra mobile classrooms will be drafted in to cope with the influx while the major alterations are carried out. He said that final arrangements were uncertain but it was likely that children would shift to the first school after Easter.

“Organisationally it is complex but we need to ensure we have a safe site,” he added.

Mr Edwards said the scheme still needed planning approval but if all went well it should open in summer 2010.

He said: “The major extension is all new build and there will be a lot of internal alterations and adaptations to create a state of the art primary school. We intend to start on the site this summer and after Easter the majority of pupils at the junior school will transfer to the first school.

“It is a major job doing a lot of major alterations. It is much safer if they are on the first school site. The project is the first of our primary capital projects, a 15 year programme to transform primary schools. It is about engaging in learning and with the community.”

Headteacher Martin Scott, said: “For Peterhouse this means a fresh start. It has historically had problems and this gives us a clean slate to work from.”

The school is to be kitted out with the latest technology including infra-red voice enhancement in all classrooms where teachers wearing a small microphone will no longer have to raise their voice as it will be echoed around the classroom.

Video cameras in all classrooms will allow lessons to be recorded and available for pupils to play back through a secure website.

The new build will also feature facilities for the community including an IT room.

“We hope to work with agencies to provide training courses within the school so it really will become a centre for the community,” added Mr Scott.