WORK is set to begin on an £3.5million expansion project at a popular infant and junior school in Leicester.
Overdale infant and junior schools, in Knighton, will get new classrooms, a new studio, additional toilets and rooms for smaller groups to work in as part of a planned major expansion project being funded by Leicester City Council.
The improvements will allow the schools to create an additional 30 pupil places in each year group, meaning 210 permanent places will be created overall.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby, said: “Overdale infant and junior schools continue to be extremely popular so I am pleased that we are able to invest in this programme of improvements to create much-needed additional places.
“Our continued major investment in the city’s schools means that we are well placed to meet future growth and demand in key parts of our city. It also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing modern, purpose-built facilities help children to learn and achieve their full potential.”
Work is due to begin on site in November 2020, with a view to the new classrooms being available for use in the autumn term of 2021.
Overdale infant and junior schools have been operating a temporary expansion since the 2015/16 academic year to meet growing demand. The new investment will enable the schools to make these extra places permanent, reflecting the continued pressure for primary school places in the south of the city.
Over the last five years, Leicester City Council has invested about £30milllion in an ambitious primary school expansion programme, helping to support the creation of over 3,500 additional places across the city.
A formal decision on the proposed funding is due to be taken on Monday 20 January.