A spade will be put into the ground tomorrow on the last day of term to mark the beginning on a �2.2 million improvement to Hempnall Primary School.

A spade will be put into the ground tomorrow on the last day of term to mark the beginning on a �2.2 million improvement to Hempnall Primary School.

The current school building will be remodelled to provide a larger reception classroom, a library, staffroom and improved toilet provision.

A new building will also be constructed to offer four new classrooms, hall, kitchen, main entrance, reception office, head teacher's office, sick bay, cloakroom space, storage and toilets. The scheme is expected to be completed by autumn 2010.

Headteacher Miriam Leston, said: 'I am absolutely delighted that work is finally getting underway. It will make a hug difference to all the children at Hempnall Primary School. We are all really excited about this building project.

'We will have new classrooms, state of the art ITC and a hall which will give us much better facilities for PE.'

Shelagh Hutson, county council cabinet member for children's services, said the money the authority is investing in the school will transform the facilities for the benefit of both staff and pupils alike for years to come.

'The county council and Norfolk's schools are doing a huge amount of work to develop our children and young people's skills, and raise their aspirations - so that they have everything they need to go on and fulfil their ambitions throughout their life,' she stressed.

She will join South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon, local county councillor Alison Thomas, and school representatives for Friday's ceremony which takes place at 10am.

The project is being managed by the NPS Group, with Feilden and Mawson as architects, and Mansell doing the construction.