Pupils will benefit from improved school facilities after Derbyshire County Council approved building schemes costing over £7.2m.

The Government has given the authority the go-ahead to bring forward a number of major building projects, including:

• A new £1.75m sports hall at Aldercar Community Language College, Langley Mill
• A new £1.75m sports hall at Kirk Hallam Community Technology College, Ilkeston
• An £850,000 music and drama suite at John Flamstead Community School, Ripley
• The replacement of two classrooms at Kirkstead Junior School, Pinxton, costing £750,000
• A £900,000 hall and classroom at Woodville Junior School
• £150,000 towards a scheme to covert an old gym for use by drama students at Hasland Hall Community School, Chesterfield

Councillor Alan Charles, the County Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, said: "We are committed to helping the county’s children learn and succeed in the best possible environment and these schemes are another example of that.


"It is great news that the Government has allowed us to bring the build projects forward and work will begin this year."

The projects were due to start as part of the county council's work in 2010/11 but the Government has released funding to allow them to start a year early as part of its aim to support local economies and the construction industry.

(CD/JM)