Martin High School, in Anstey, expands to accommodate rise in pupil numbers
A school will expand overnight when its £1 million new classrooms arrive this month.
The Martin High School, in Anstey, is having eight pre-fabricated classrooms created to accommodate its change in age range and a rise in student numbers.
The classroom blocks will arrive by lorry on February 23 and will be winched into place over the following three days.
Head teacher Martin Furniss said: "It's a fantastic way of creating the space we need and has meant we've had no disruption to the school, as they have all been made off-site.
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"They will be of a very high standard, using modern building methods which keep costs to a minimum. We'll see them go up overnight and the final job will be cladding them in brick."
Funding for the new classrooms has come from the Government's Academy Capital Grant.
Mr Furniss said: "We put in a bid for the funds of just under £1 million and have added a little ourselves.
"The extra space is vitally needed because we changed from an 11 to 14 school to an 11 to 16 school six months ago and will now grow from 636 pupils to about 900 by 2014.
"It's a large increase but we know it's absolutely the right decision for us and parents have given it their full backing.
"We became an academy a year ago to make it possible to change our age range. Pupils benefit hugely from this because it means they can stay at a school they know, with staff who know them, and don't have their education interrupted by moving at a crucial age.
"The old Leicestershire model just wasn't fit for purpose, so we've had to change it.
"It's a very exciting time and the school is really coming to life."
Pupil Jordan Skinner, 13, is planning to stay on at The Martin High School.
He said: "It's a really great school and I enjoy coming here.
"The thought of having to leave and get used to a new place and new staff wasn't great, so I'm glad I can stay here. The teachers are friendly and they all know me.
"We're looking forward to seeing the new classrooms and being taught in them."
School communications officer Amanda Woodier said: "It's going to be really exciting to see it coming together so quickly. It's going to give us the space we need and if all goes well it should be ready for use by April 19."
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