The  investment will ensure students at the school, part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, will have facilities fit for the coming years and can enjoy a new science lab and refurbished classrooms in the humanities faculty.

Headteacher Craig Jansen said: “We are immensely proud of our reputation for supporting students to achieve highly and be the best they can be. However, given the current challenges facing society and schools, it is more important than ever to ensure our amazing students and teachers have access to the very best learning environment and facilities to continue for our school drive for excellence in all we do.”

The refurbishment at the West Walton school was jointly funded by the Department for Education, West Norfolk Academies Trust and school and part of the spend is dedicated to the external student facilities.

A new large playground has been laid as the first phase of a three phase programme and the next phase will see the completion of two new multi-purpose sports courts. The final element will be a large outdoor shelter to accommodate more than one year group.

Students have been noticing the improvements and Year 9 pupil Callum said it was a ‘huge difference.’

“The refurbished humanities block and new classrooms have really made a huge difference. They have really helped to improve the school and make me feel really proud to be a Marshland High School student,” he added.

Year 8 student Zoe said: “The new playground is so much better! I love the new classrooms and especially the colours that were picked, it feels much brighter.”

The school was awarded a status of Good by Ofsted in its last report which highlighted the ‘carefully constructed curriculum,’ alongside ‘strong subject knowledge’ of the teachers.

“The West Norfolk Academy Trust provides an appropriate balance of challenge and support to the school,” says the report which was published in 2018.

“The quality of teaching, learning and assessment in the school is good. Teachers have strong subject knowledge and routinely use assessment to support their planning and help pupils to improve their work,” adds the report. 

The school is arranging personalised tours of Marshland HIgh School for potential parents and for further information contact Sarah Perks on 01945 584146 or email opendaytours@marshlandhigh.co.uk 

The refurbishment work will continue later this year as there are plans to refurbish the food technology and drama suites along with updating the computing facilities.