Schools in Essex are to benefit from a £16 million investment in buildings and extra places.

The Government has given Essex County Council the go-ahead to borrow the money in the next financial year .

It is the county's portion of a £620 million capital investment in state schools nationwide announced by the Department for Education and Employment.

The money will primarily be channelled into remodelling some schools to accommodate more pupils and to carry out building repairs.

About one-and-a-half million pounds will specifically be used to replace demountable classrooms.

Details of all the schools to benefit have yet to be confirmed, but two large chunks of cash have already been earmarked:

£780,000 for two new classrooms and school hall at Great Leighs Primary

£500,000 for new secondary school places in Clacton - a temporary solution. Plans are due to go out to public consultation in the New Year for a new secondary school.

Five-and-a-half million pounds will be used for general maintenance and repairs at Essex schools.

County hall education chiefs welcomed the announcement and admitted the settlement was at the upper end of what they had hoped for.

An education department spokesman said: "This is good news. We did a comprehensive survey of all schools in the county and produced a list of their needs."

Some of the money will complete existing schemes while others will fund new building projects.

Schools minister Jacqui Smith said: "This is a significant part of the substantial increase in funding that we are providing for investment in school buildings. We are determined to improve school standards and that means continuing to ensure children learn in weatherproof, warm and well-equipped classrooms."

A new school assembly hall and classrooms are top of the shopping list at Great Leighs primary school.

The school has been awarded £780,000 from the £16 million of Government funds designated to the county.

By Sarah Oxley

Reporter's e-mail: sarah_oxley@thisisessex.co.uk

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