A BIG expansion of three Hampshire schools has been completed, creating more than 400 extra places for county students.

North Baddesley Infant, North Baddesley Junior and Romsey Primary, as well as its nursery, have all received heavy expansion work, which will allow 420 children to attend schools closer to their homes.

Work, costing £6.64m, included new buildings, classrooms, toilet facilities, and areas for groups to work and play.

Both expansions were undertaken due to fresh housing developments, bringing in hundreds of new residents.

The three expansions were part of the county council programme to provide 17,500 new places at schools by 2021, with a planned investment of around £140 million.

Cllr Stephen Reid, county education head, said: “Staying ahead of the game is vital when it comes to ensure there are sufficient places at good quality schools for a rising population of families all over Hampshire. Thanks to our strong track record in planning for the future, our provision of school places is keeping pace with continued rising demand in Hampshire.

“Investing in quality school buildings that are built to be sustainable and provide a motivational environment for learning is something that the County Council is proud of."

In North Baddesley, the village’s schools will now be able to provide a further 90 infant and 120 junior places. In total, the £3.79 million expansions will allow the schools to accommodate up to 270 and 360 pupils respectively.

North Baddesley councillor Alan Dowden said: “I have worked for years to get this capital investment into the Infant and Junior schools in North Baddesley. I had been contacted for many years by local parents unable to gain access to their local school.

North Baddesley Junior headteacher Neil Hardy said: “The project has ensured that several key areas have been improved – site security, encouragement for the children to cycle and scooter with a new bike shed and scooter pod, as well as parking for increased numbers of staff.”