SEVEN local primary schools are among 40 in Devon to benefit from a special £650,000 improvement fund to subsidise small-scale schemes to make life better for staff and pupils.
The Jubilee Fund was set up by Devon's Executive Chairman for Schools, John Hart, to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
The schools will now be able to carry out improvement projects worth a total of £1.6 million by matching money from the Jubilee Fund with their own resources.
In all the schools will be able to make 179 key improvements identified in their Asset Management Plans.
They include toilets at Bridestowe and Lewtrenchard primary schools, heating and ventilation at Northlew Primary, a hall/gym at Lydford Primary, a mezzanine floor at Exbourne Primary, disabled access at Okehampton College and a patio/head's office at Dolton Primary.
The Jubilee Fund was launched in March and was so successful that the Government is being lobbied for more funds to continue the programme.
Mr Hart is also writing to MPs asking them to support an all-party meeting with the Education Minister Baroness Ashton to press the county's case.
'I have been overwhelmed by the response from schools,' he said. 'Sometimes even a comparatively small amount of money can make all the difference to the life of a school — not only for the pupils but for the teachers and staff as well.'
Bids were up to £25,000 and Mr Hart said these smaller projects would not necessarily be covered by the county council's mainstream building programme.