FOUR schools and sixth forms are celebrating receiving a share of £46million for building improvements and expansion projects.

North Town and St Andrew’s primary schools, and Richard Huish College, in Taunton, were granted cash from the Government’s Condition Improvement Fund in an announcement by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and Schools Minister David Laws.

North Town was granted £250,000 for an on-site full catering kitchen, and to replace and repair key parts of the school roof.

The kitchen project will replace the existing daily delivery service of hot meals.

Over £150,000 will be spent on the roof, on which North Town is hoping to install solar panels. It is hoped the work will be completed at the start of the academic year in September.

Mike Snowden, head teacher, said: “The funding provided will help to ensure that North Town children have access to improved food quality and greater choice of meals, as well as the best possible facilities in which to learn in an environment that gives them the knowledge and skills to fulfil the school’s vision in learning today, leading tomorrow”.

Richard Huish was given £1.9million to build a state-of-the-art sports hall in South Road.

The college has had a temporary dome structure for sports teaching and matches for the nine years.

The new building will include a full-size sports hall, changing facilities and toilets with a first floor gym and classrooms.

Principal John Abbott said: “The dome has served us well for many years, but for some time we’ve wanted to replace it with a permanent sports hall.

“Sport for competition, leisure and health is such an integral part of life at Huish that the new hall will be a welcome addition for all our students who participate in sport, in particular those who undertake A-level and BTEC sport courses, and our degree in sports development and coaching will have fantastic facilities.

“In addition, it will benefit the community who will be able to hire the facilities.”

St Andrew’s Primary School has been given an undisclosed sum to replace windows and fire alarms.

The fourth school to benefit from a grant is Huish Episcopi Academy in Langport, where £200,000 has been awarded to improve the roof.

  •  Somerset County Council has said it will commit over £10million for new classrooms at existing schools, and repairs and maintenance at schools and children’s centres, in the next financial year. A new classroom for Selworthy School in Taunton has also been agreed.