STUDENTS at a school in Alveston, near Thornbury have praised the first phase of a multi-million-pound refurbishment.

The children are enjoying a new bespoke design tech facility at the school and say the new rooms are ‘modern and bright’ and feel less crowded.

It comes as phase one of a refurbishment programme at Marlwood School in Alveston was completed with more work to be completed over the summer.

The project forms part of an £18.1m refurbishment of The Castle School and Marlwood School which is jointly funded by the Castle School Education Trust (CSET) and South Gloucestershire Council.  

The investment at Marlwood, being overseen by new headteacher Seema Purewal, will include new classrooms for art, design technology and science.

Ms Purewal said: “Completing phase one on time has been a fantastic checkpoint and seeing our students and staff making the most of these new rooms is great.  

“Our students have a huge sense of pride that these facilities are a real investment in their education and learning.

“We are grateful to our students, their families, staff and local residents who are being so understanding of any disruption caused by the ongoing building works.

"We have tried to keep this to a minimum through some very thorough planning. 

“The next phase will be completed over the summer, ready to welcome Marlwood’s 50th year group through the school doors for a very special year. It is a very exciting time for the Marlwood community.” 

Year 7 student Scarlett said: “It’s much nicer to work in such a clean and big environment.” 

Heidi Freeman, a DT teacher at Marlwood, added: “I just love the new rooms.

“The students are so excited to be in this modern space with so many great features – new equipment, plug sockets that pull down from the ceiling, cubby holes to store their bags and also our amazing new interactive whiteboards.

“There is just such a buzz about it all.”