A MULTI-million-pound building programme is set to in-crease staff and student numbers at a Hamble secondary school.

Hamble Community School in Satchell Lane unveiled a new eight-classroom block as part of a £4.5m building scheme which will also see the school acquire sports college status in September.

County education officer Andrew Seber officially opened the block that will increase pupil intake by 79, with 131 year 11 students leaving in June and 210 year seven pupils starting in September.

The block will house the humanities subjects, history, geography and religious education, as well as the special needs department.

Headteacher Judith Chambers said: "The block is a tremendous improvement and it is very popular with the students who like the fact they have nice new classrooms to learn in.

"We have demolished three rooms that have been here for years and years which were not really adequate for our needs.

"We have improved the facilities for the special needs department which now has a new area to work in."

Work on a sports, health and fitness leisure complex continues and should be completed by September.

Sports college status means the school will be able to offer more sports subjects, including sailing. The facilities will be shared with the community and other schools in the area and the school will be given additional funding.