Ixworth school’s £4m revamp to end its first year

As its first year draws to a close, an Ixworth school is celebrating the start of the next stage of its £4.4 million pound refurbishment programme.

Ixworth Free School, opened on the site of the former middle school by the Seckford Foundation in September 2014, is undergoing a thorough overhaul to accommodate its growing student numbers and modernise its learning spaces.

The first stage of the programme, including refurbishing the classrooms, toilets, gym and changing rooms as well as two art studios, is due to be complete in September.

A new front entrance and reception area, mulit-purpose hall to seat 200, and an external ‘quad’ are included in the second stage, due for completion in January next year.

Niki King, headteacher, said: “It is a very exciting time for the school. The new and refubished facilities will be an excellent addition for present and future students to enjoy.”

Of the school’s first year Ms King said an effort had been made not to make it seem like ‘a school first opening’.

It has already undertaken fund-raising for the community, welcomed two foreign exchange groups from Mexico and Korea, and achieved a good uptake in music and sports activities.

Ms King said: “It has been a relentless year, but a very exciting and rewarding one. It’s fascinating to see how the school is progressing.

“I think the staff have enjoyed it, as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to start a school from scratch.

“We have established a good ethos and foundation for the school to move forward on.”