County Council approves £8.3 million investment for refurbishment projects at three Hampshire schools

School buildings, which were built in the 1960s, will receive a range of upgrades including double glazing, increased insulation and new roofing which will improve the condition of the building, improve the teaching environment, and help to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. The funding comes from a Department for Education grant to maintain and improve the condition of school buildings and grounds. 

Councillor Kirsty North, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said: “I am pleased that these projects to deliver improvements to three Hampshire schools have been given the green light. Each school has buildings that date back to the 1960s and are now in need of modernisation. The energy efficiency and property upgrades will ensure that pupils and teachers can benefit from a more comfortable learning environment, with cooler temperatures in the summer and warmer conditions in the winter. This will have the advantage of cutting running costs, freeing up money to be spent by schools elsewhere. The projects are also part of our drive to tackle the climate emergency by reducing carbon emissions from public buildings. Our teams are working closely with the school communities involved to begin improvement works on site this summer.” 

The projects are as follows: 
• Crookhorn College, at an estimated cost of £3.45 million
• Henry Beaufort School, at an estimated cost of £3.48 million 
• Hart Plain Infant School, at an estimated cost of £1.4 million

Work is planned to start in the summer of 2024 to utilise the school summer holiday and to avoid exam periods.