Dr Wolfgang Palm opens new Jubilee labs at Springwood High School

Students at a King's Lynn school have no excuses when it comes to making the best of their science lessons.

Springwood High School officially opened a new block earlier today with two labs designed with the pupils in mind.

The ribbon was cut by Dr Wolfgang Palm, owner of Palm Paper, which has a huge paper mill in the town.

'I think everyone here has done an extremely good job and I think you can be extremely proud of these new labs.

'I think we have to spend more on young people because they represent our future,' he said.

Headteacher Andy Johnson, who has been in the position for 18 months, thanked everyone involved in the project.

'We are focused on achievement and making sure as many of our students as possible are attaining gold standards,' he said.

Among the guests at the official opening were former headteacher Pete Hopkins and Barbara Griffiths, whose late husband, Mike, was also a former headteacher at the school.

Roger Livesey, chairman of the governors, said the last laboratory at the school had been built 11 or 12 years ago.

'With these new labs, we have really state-of-the-art facilities,' he said.

The new building, which has been used since September, includes two new labs and a staff room and kitchen area.

It cost around �400,000 which was fully-funded by the school – a specialist arts college.

'Our partners are very important, and we have worked very closely with our primary schools as well,' said Mr Johnson.

The school has also completed work on a hairdressing block and a construction area where students can learn skills including brickwork.

It has specialist performing arts status and Mr Johnson said the school was also aiming to ensure every student was taking part in at least one extra-curricular activity.