MORE than £4 million has been spent to upgrade and refurbish six Island schools this summer.

Five primary schools have benefited from the money — Shalfleet, Hunnyhill and Nine Acres at Newport, Carisbrooke, and at Nettlestone — in addition to the Island Learning Centre in Newport.

Major projects include a new pre-school, modern classrooms, replacement roofing and windows, heating systems and electrical works.

The projects were funded by money from the government’s Capital School Improvement Programme.

Shalfleet Primary School has had a £1.4million refurbishment, including a new modular building with two classrooms and a new pre-school.

Nettlestone and Hunnyhill primary schools have both had £450,000 spent on new roof parts and window, as well as an upgrade to heating system.

Hunnyhill will also be establishing a new social emotional mental health unit for primary school students as a pilot programme, which will support students with additional needs to attend a mainstream setting.

The Island Learning Centre, which had a complete refurbishment following a fire in 2015, is in the final stages of £400,000-worth of improvements, including to the roof and boiler system.

Carisbrooke Primary School and Nine Acres Primary are both nearing the completion of £380,000 and £120,000 projects, which include upgrading electrical systems, heating and roofing.

Cabinet member for children’s services and education, Cllr Paul Brading, said: "We are continually investing in our schools to ensure our children have the best possible learning environment.

"Our push on improvements over the summer will help support our young people to achieve their full potential."