MULTI-million-pound plans to transform three Hampshire schools have been given the green light.

Fryern Junior School’s current building was constructed in Chandler’s Ford almost 60 years ago and Hampshire County Council has said it has “reached the end of its useful life”.

Now a £7.6 million design has been approved which will see a new building erected on adjacent land. The old building will be demolished once the work has finished. It is expected to be completed by spring 2021.

The authority said the new building will provide a single entrance to serve both Fryern Junior and the neighbouring infants’ school, which will also undergo a refurbishment.

Cllr Roz Chadd, executive member for education, said: “A full rebuild is clearly needed at Fryern, which is currently sited in a timber framed building which is almost 60 years old and coming to the end of its useful life.

“The replacement building will be suitable for 21st Century teaching, made of sustainable, energy efficient materials.”

A £2 million scheme to expand Fair Oak Infant School and Fair Oak Junior School has also been signed off.

The schools will have their buildings upgraded with a new Year R classroom and new toilets set to be built at the infant school and a new reception set to be created at the junior school.

The existing hall at the junior school will also be expanded and the classroom by the hall will be refurbished. There will also be a new entrance forecourt to the junior school and a new play area.

Cllr Chadd said: “I am very pleased with the plans for both schools, which will see a new accessible classroom added to the infants’ school, along with much needed extra toilets and more play space for pupils. I can see, from the report, that the junior school has clearly outgrown its current assembly hall and I am sure that parents and staff alike will appreciate the changes to the internal layout of the buildings, particularly the upgraded entrance and reception area which will help to strengthen security and safeguarding.”