Schools share £7.5m building fund

Primary schools in Surrey have been allocated part of a £7.5m fund to improve buildings by the council.

Surrey County Council's cabinet agreed on the five schools to benefit from the government funds.

Three schemes in the Dorking area and others in Godalming and Reigate will receive the money this financial year.

Westcott school near Dorking will get a £2m two-storey extension including a new hall in preparation for its merger with Abinger Common school.

The merger will allow children from both villages continue village education up to the age of 11 instead of transferring to schools in Dorking at the age of eight.

In Dorking, St John's Church of England Community School and Nursery will be refurbished and a foundation unit for pupils aged four will be built at St Martin's Church of England Primary School.

A temporary "resource room" will be built at the recently expanded Sandcross School in Reigate.

Green Oak Church of England Primary and Nursery School in Godalming will also be extended and refurbished.

Councillor Peter Martin said the programme would "benefit Surrey residents for years to come" and "make a real difference to children's learning and results".