SCHOOLS in Somerset are to benefit from more than £6.5 million of funding to improve facilities.

A total of 16 county schools have been allocated a share of £560 million in government funding to expand classrooms, upgrade facilities and to improve the education of children.

The funding comes from the £560 million announced by the Prime Minister last month as part of his New Deal for Britain, to help the nation bounce back from coronavirus by investing in infrastructure and skills and creating jobs.

The investment would 'ensure our schools and colleges can focus on teaching, with brand new buildings and better facilities so that every child gets the world-class education they deserve', according to Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson.

“Investing in our school and college buildings helps create modern environments that lend themselves to great teaching, making sure every child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential," he said.

“We have worked at great speed to release this additional £560 million of condition funding to schools for projects this year to kick-start the economy and get the country moving again following coronavirus.

“This funding brings the total allocated to improve the condition of our school buildings to £2 billion this year and paves the way for our new transformative 10-year school building programme starting later this year, with more than £1 billion funding for the first wave of 50 schools.”

The full list of funding - and the schools to receive it in Somerset - is:

Bath: £1,275,157.89 - Hayesfield Girls School, Moorlands Junior School

Bridgwater and West Somerset: £1,225,541.43 - Minehead Middle School, Minehead First School

Somerton and Frome: £217,910.84 - Sexey's School

Taunton Deane: £1,323,479.98 - North Town Academy, Wellesley Park Primary School, Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Priorswood Primary School

Wells: £1,160,313.00 - The Kings of Wessex Academy, Wedmore First School Academy, The Blue School

Yeovil: £1,320,069.19 - Holyrood Academy, St. Michael's Academy, Winsham Primary School, Milford Junior School