Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) has approved a £208,000 investment into Cirencester Deer Park School to create a modern classroom block increasing the school’s capacity by 60 places.

The expansion will create an all-new English block, providing the school with eight new classrooms, state-of-the-art energy efficiency, a redesigned reception area and a modern appearance for the front of the school.

Work started in July 2017 and is expected to be completed this coming May.

The new building is on target, on budget and expected to be ready for use in June 2018.

The total cost of the project totals £1.63 million.

The council has approved £208,000 from s106 developer funds towards the project.

An additional £1.33 million has been funded through an Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Bid, with Cirencester Deer Park School contributing the final £100,000.

These modern classrooms will provide the school with up-to-date facilities for a critical subject and create an additional staircase in the main block of the school that will ease congestion.

Head teacher, Ms Chiquita Henson, said: “We’re really looking forward to moving into the new block in the next few months and teaching in the new English classrooms.

“The new building will be such an improvement on our current classrooms for this subject.

“The new block will also make a significant difference to the external appearance of the front of the school, bringing it into the 21st Century and improving the welcome to the school.”

Cllr Lynden Stowe, cabinet member for economy, skills and growth, said: “It’s great to see another exciting school project coming together.

“Deer Park School’s expansion plan will provide exceptional new facilities to help meet the local demand for school places.

“This is terrific news for students, staff and the local community.”

Cllr Joe Harris, county councillor for Cirencester Park, said: “As a former pupil of Deer Park. I was delighted to hear about this funding and the school’s continued expansion.

“This move will help meet demand for school places in the area and I’m glad that children in Cirencester and the wider area will continue to have the very best education like I was lucky enough to receive.”