CHILDREN who live on the Bestwood Estate look set to benefit from a £2.5m revamp of their school.

The inside of Henry Whipple Primary School could be stripped and refurbished.

Head teacher Ken Dearden said he believes the work, which still needs planning permission from the city council, would provide a huge boost to children's education.

It would be funded by the council's Building Schools for the Future programme.

"A lot of what we have right now in terms of equipment is quite outdated, so it would be a real benefit for the children to have something modern," said Mr Dearden.

"Things would look very different inside. It would be a far better place to teach and for children to learn."

The school would be redecorated. An indoor central hub would be created. And classrooms will be filled with up-to-date equipment, including ICT facilities and interactive whiteboards. Some extensions will also be built.

Parents and staff played a large part in coming up with the designs. There would be a family room just off the front foyer and a number of outdoor learning areas.

There would also be a new car park and improved pedestrian access to the site.

It is hoped all work will be done by October next year if the council's Development Control Committee give the proposals the green light.

Classes would be held in temporary accommodation on the site, in Padstow Road, while the work is carried out.

The refurbished school would be able to cater for 210 pupils and a 30-place nursery.

"These are very exciting times for the school," added Mr Dearden. "I have seen the plans and they look really good.

"It is important that children here have the very best chance of learning and by refurbishing the school like this we will be doing that.

"We will be remaining where we are while the work is done, but we want to keep disruption down to a minimum, so we'll have temporary classrooms put in place."

marcus.boocock@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk