A PRIMARY school in St Albans school is one of the main beneficiaries of a cash handout from Government to rebuild or refurbish schools in the county. Mandeville Primary in Mandeville Drive is the only school in the county to be singled out for expansion

A PRIMARY school in St Albans school is one of the main beneficiaries of a cash handout from Government to rebuild or refurbish schools in the county.

Mandeville Primary in Mandeville Drive is the only school in the county to be singled out for expansion rather than rebuilding.

Head teacher Amanda Godfrey said: "This is a real opportunity to design something special, an extension that will ensure the school is at the heart of the community and provide the best quality experience for children, further developing the outstanding work we already do.

We had an outstanding Ofsted in March, so 2008 is proving to be a very exciting year for Mandeville.

"This is a unique opportunity to plan an outstanding education not just for our current pupils but also for pupils many years into the future."

Both Mandeville and Bernard's Heath Schools were asked to take 30 extra children each in their reception classes this year to help meet the demand for extra places as their sites had the capacity for expansion.

But the two-form entry of 60 pupils means extra accommodation has had to be found for the year-on-year increases this will mean.

Building work has already been carried out at Bernards Heath Infant School to turn it into a two-form entry school.

Now that funds have been allocated for Mandeville, work to provide the extra room will probably begin there next year.

Ms Godfrey said: "We will be looking at ways we can not only expand the school but also complement and update the existing buildings, adding facilities that take the school forward to provide excellent integrated practice with other professionals."

But county councillor Chris White, who has spoken out strongly against the shortage of primary places in St Albans city centre said that while he welcomed the expansion of the two schools, he feared it would only go a small way to resolving the shortage of places.

Funds have also been allocated to Cunningham Hill Junior School in Cunningham Hill Road, St Albans, to refurbish parts of the building.