OKEHAMPTON College is on the verge of a £2-million cash injection to provide much-needed extra teaching accommodation.

Devon County Council's executive committee is expected to approve the two-year building programme for the college — the second biggest in the county — when it meets next Tuesday.

The money will pay for a technology block and ICT facilities and cater for the predicted dramatic rise in pupil numbers over the next ten years.

College principal Chris Powell said he was very grateful for the support from the local education authority in putting forward this 'essential building programme'.

'We are very pleased and it's an excellent start to all the plans we have for the college over the next few years,' he said.

'Our current technology facilities are not purpose-built, too small and badly designed, and what this new block will do is allow us to meet the curriculum needs of the youngsters much more effectively.'

Mr Powell, who joined the college as principal in January last year, said technology results were excellent but they had been achieved in spite of the facilities, not because of them, and the staff had done a great job in difficult circumstances.

Devon County Council has predicted the school's population will rise from 1,280 to 1,650 in the next eight to ten years with 800 new homes planned for the town.

The building work at the college, which is the first in 12 years, is expected to be completed by September 2003 and is part of the county council's £100-million capital building programme for schools throughout Devon over the next three years.

The new technology block will be built alongside the Octagon Theatre and joined to the sports hall, the modern languages block and, hopefully, the new leisure centre when it is built, linking all parts of the college and associated community facilities.

Refurbishing the existing buildings, creating a new sixth form centre and new conservatory-style dining area, relocating the arts rooms and revamping the reception area, are all in the pipeline for the college which currently has numerous bids in for funding.

'We really need at least another £500,000 to achieve all these things but we have started on the road to creating a better environment for the pupils and the staff,' added Mr Powell.

Town mayor and county councillor Christine Marsh praised the principal for all the hard work he had put in since joining the school.

'This money is the result of an awful lot of work and it's great news for the college and the town,' she said

'Okehampton is a growth town and this has been recognised by the county — it has given us all positive vibes for the future.'