WHEN North Tawton Primary School head Neil Hallam retires at the end of 2002 after 25 years he will be leaving a satisfied man knowing that a major school building programme is underway.

In Devon County Council's £34-million capital building programme announced last week, councillors agreed to release £33,000 of the £378,000 earmarked for the school to take plans forward.

Architect's plans for a new hall will be drawn up which will replace the dilapidated HORSA hut used as the kitchen and dining area for the past 50 years, with building work to be completed by September 2003.

But the headteacher said the school had been saving its pennies in a bid to add to the county council's plans.

'Hopefully, by the end of September 2003 the school will have actually accumulated nearly £50,000 of capital funds carried over from previous years to put towards the work,' he said.

'We would like to completely remodel the front of the school so we have a good administrative area and entrance, better car parking facilities and pedestrian access.'

The existing hall in the main school building will be divided into classrooms and for the first time the school will also have a dedicated computer suite.

Mr Hallam said he anticipated the work would start at the end of this year: 'The new hall will be the size of a badminton court but the scheme is being designed so as the school grows and develops so do the facilities,' he said. 'It is really going to be something when it's done and a fantastic resource for the school.

'I won't be head here when its completed but I will still be around to see it and it's a nice time to leave at a time when the school is going forward.'