EASTLEIGH'S Shakespeare Junior School is to get three new classrooms to replace old temporary ones.

The work, which includes an extension to the school's PE store, will cost £348,000 and county council education bosses hope workmen will move in during September.

The state of the classrooms, which leak in winter, were the major issues in the school's last two Ofsted reports.

The proposals are for a single-storey exten-sion to the existing building, housing two classrooms and another room for mathematics and English work. The school will also get three hi-tech interactive whiteboards to put in its new classrooms.

The county council is funding £254,000 of the cost and the school is meeting the rest.

Head teacher Stuart Gamble said: "It feels wonderful. I think they have been there for 23 years, so they are laughably called temporary classrooms.

"They have not been ideal. One has metal supports in the middle and is not really waterproof.

"Now it is all being rectified and we are looking forward to it.

"Children now won't have to leave the building to go to the toilet and they will be part of the school."

Hampshire education chief Councillor Don Allen is to make a final decision on the scheme on Thursday.