SCHOOLS in Hampshire are set to get a financial boost of £21 million to help create 735 additional places.

Five schools across the county are set to benefit from the investment from Hampshire County Council, including Park View Junior School, in Pinkerton Road and Robert May’s School in Hook.

The announcement comes following the county council’s executive member for education, Cllr Peter Edgar’s decision day meeting on January 18.

At the meeting Cllr Edgar said that Robert May’s would receive £7.6 million to build a two-storey building with bridge link, providing four general teaching classrooms and a classroom for practical learning, to accommodate a further 150 pupils.

As part of this work, a new school entrance will be created, with bus/coach access being improved, and a further 15 covered and lockable cycle spaces will be provided.

A statement from the Odiham school said: “Last year, Hampshire county council children’s services and property services were in early, high level discussions with the head and governors at Robert May’s School in order to understand the implications for the school of a one form expansion.

“Both Robert May’s School and Hampshire county council have committed to consulting with all stakeholders at appropriate points during the process.”

The money for the expansion will mean that by September 2023, Robert May’s School will have 1,350 students on roll across years 7-11.

Park View Junior School will be allocated £1.4 million, which will enable the school to have a two classroom extension, increasing the school’s capacity by a further 60 spaces.

The work will also include provision of small group teaching areas and play area improvements, as well as the parking area being enlarged to allow for extra parking spaces for staff and storage for pupil’s cycles and scooters.

Cllr Edgar said: “Thanks to our strong track record in planning for the future, our provision of additional school places is keeping pace with continued rising demand in Hampshire.

“We pride ourselves on investing in quality school buildings that are built to be sustainable and provide a good environment for learning. Having a significant in-house team of property designers, who specialise in school buildings, results in excellent spaces for learning.

“We are also able to take the opportunity to improve facilities using innovative thinking and the latest technological developments.”

The planned investment in Hampshire schools will total around £300m, which continues to be the most significant capital building programme in the county council’s history.