Two primary schools are set to be built in Norfolk as part of the council's £169 million county-wide investment programme to increase school places.

Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to deliver the new facilities, designed by NPS.

Construction has already started on the £8m development of a new 420-place primary school in Hethersett, south of Norwich. It will include a standalone nursery, as well as a multi-use games area and play equipment for the students.

The second scheme will see Morgan Sindall deliver a £7m primary school in Great Yarmouth on the current North Denes Primary School site. It will serve 420 students and feature photovoltaic panels on the roof.

Classes will continue in the current 1930s school building, while works on the new school progress. Children will then move into their new, two-storey school in time for the 2020 academic year.

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John Stedman, framework manager at Morgan Sindall Construction in the East, said: "Our team has a long-standing, collaborative relationship with Norfolk County Council and the team at NPS and we're delighted to once again be working in partnership to deliver these important and much-needed facilities in Great Yarmouth and Hethersett.

"The new schools will improve the offering available for children in these localities and ensure the growing population is able to access a first-class educational experience.

"Ensuring that we engage positively with the local community is a key priority for our project teams and we will be working hard to foster strong links with our project neighbours. Our supply chain will be drawn from Great Yarmouth, wherever possible, to ensure the positive impact of both developments is felt within the regional economy."

Councillor John Fisher, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Norfolk County Council added: "These investments in new school places demonstrate how the County Council is providing the right infrastructure to support communities which are growing as a result of new developments and population growth.

"Thanks to our ongoing £169 million investment programme, thousands more of our county's children are learning in modern new schools close to where they live. But it's not just about bricks and mortar. It's about investing in our children's education and supporting our schools to provide the best possible start in life for our youngest residents."

(CM/JG)