Thurston Community College's new block after £1.7m funding

Construction on Thurston Community College's new purpose built facility 'Block 7', which was developed on its Norton Road site, finished just in time for the beginning of the academic year and now houses two science labs and three social sciences classrooms.

One of the classrooms inside Block 7 (Image: Thurston Community College)One of the new science labs with Hannah, deputy student principal, Taylor, student principal, Hermione, deputy student principal and James, senior prefect, head of student news (Image: Thurston Community College)

The expansion, which was made possible after Mid Suffolk District Council’s cabinet agreed to use just over £1.78 million of its community infrastructure levy (CIL) for the project, was approved in November last year and will now create 150 more student spaces as the college's catchment area continues to increase.

Maria Betts-Davies, director of learning for humanities and social sciences at the college, said: "In over 30 years of teaching this is the first time I have taught in a brand new learning environment.

The outside of the new block with students alongside Mrs Betts-Davies, director of learning for humanities and social sciences, and Mr Horne, vice principal (Image: Thurston Community College)"It has enhanced our teaching and learning experience, creating a fantastic learning environment for our students. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity of working in Block 7."

In December 2022, it was revealed that the college, now in its 50th year, has been included in the government's Schools Rebuilding Programme.