SCHOOLS in south-west Basingstoke are in line for a £3.7million boost that will provide better quality classrooms and other new learning resources.

County executive member for education Cllr Don Allen has proposed a programme of building work at Hatch Warren infant and junior schools and Manor Field infant and junior schools that will increase pupil number capacity, improve the school buildings and facilities, and expand the Starlings early years provision.

The investment follows a review of how best to meet the future educational needs of children across the area following a decision to close Beech Down Primary School, which was badly damaged by fire in 2000, and in light of falling roll numbers in parts of the area and rising demand in others.

Commenting on the proposals, Cllr Allen said: "This is a very exciting development for the area that will improve the quality of educational facilities available to pupils to ensure they are able to fully explore every aspect of the national curriculum."

Building work will begin at the Manor Field schools during the autumn term and be completed during the summer term of 2004.

The £2million scheme features a new hall for the infant school, three new classrooms and a resources area.

This will increase the capacity of the school from 180 to 240.

Starlings playgroup within the school will undergo significant re-development, creating 24 additional places to boost its capacity to 40 children.

The school's existing hall and the playgroup's facilities will be re-developed and an additional area of secure play space will also be incorporated to meet all the needs of the group.

Manor Field Junior School will also be expanded to develop two new classrooms, a resources area, a music/drama room and special needs accommodation, increasing pupil capacity to 300 places.

The school will be reorganised to incorporate a better library and a dedicated IT suite.

Hatch Warren infant and junior schools will also undergo development costing around £1.7million.

This will result in temporary accommodation being replaced with permanent buildings.

Two temporary classrooms will be replaced at Hatch Warren Infant School, and four will go at the junior school.

In addition, the work will fund resource and group rooms, a library and music/drama room.

The project could begin early in 2004 and is set to be completed during the autumn term.