Primary school pupils have started moving into a new £4.5m teaching block.

Eastern Daily Press: Hillcrest Primary School in Downham Market will launch £4.5 million extension. Picture: Ian BurtHillcrest Primary School in Downham Market will launch £4.5 million extension. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Primary school pupils have started moving into a new £4.5m teaching block.

The extension at Hillcrest Primary School in Downham Market is expected to be completed by September.

It includes reception, library and classrooms, along with group and meeting rooms, toilets, plant rooms and stores.

The six mobile units that have been on site for five years and used by the children will be removed once the project is complete.

Eastern Daily Press: Work has begun on the £4.5m expansion at Hillcrest Primary School in Downham Market. Pictured is Headteacher, Matthew Try. Picture: Ian BurtWork has begun on the £4.5m expansion at Hillcrest Primary School in Downham Market. Pictured is Headteacher, Matthew Try. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

The new block has been in use for four weeks with 270 pupils and 9 classes working in it.

Matthew Try, headteacher at Hillcrest Primary School, said: "The kids love it, we had to close the school for two days last week to move everything from the temporary units to the new build in preparation for them coming back.

"The aim of the launch is to raise awareness and signify to the children the new building."

The extension is also a prototype build for how the council wants Norfolk schools to be.

Eastern Daily Press: Work has begun on the £4.5m expansion at Hillcrest Primary School in Downham Market. Picture: Ian BurtWork has begun on the £4.5m expansion at Hillcrest Primary School in Downham Market. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

My Try said: "It will be the first school of its kind in Norfolk.

"The project is environmentally friendly and uses intelligent lighting, which is turned on from movement.

"It is also run by natural ventilation which is triggered by the rising CO2 levels."

Solar panels are also used on the new build to generate energy.

Eastern Daily Press: Hillcrest Primary School in Downham Market is undergoing £4.5 million expansion with temporary mobile units on siteHillcrest Primary School in Downham Market is undergoing £4.5 million expansion with temporary mobile units on site (Image: Archant)

The school is one of the largest primary schools in the county and is set to increase its pupil size from 507 to 630.

A launch on Tuesday, June 11, will involve the school choir and the cutting of a ribbon in preparation for the expected completion in September, which also marks the 40th anniversary of the school.