The county's schools have impressed Government officials with innovative ideas of how to improve their facilities for young people and the wider communities.

The cash comes as part of the Primary Capital Programme which is investing £7billion to rebuild or refurbish half of all primary schools by 2023.

Ideas submitted by our schools earlier this year include a complete rebuild of Oakham CE Primary School, an extra classroom at St Mary and St John's School in North Luffenham, a multimedia and childcare centre at Ketton Primary School and more community facilities in Whissendine.
County council leader Roger Begy was delighted with this week's decision, which was due to be made in September.

He said: "This is tremendous news for our county. A lot of hard work from our schools went into submitting our proposals and they will all benefit from the money.

"I can see no reason why the original recommendations from the schools should be changed."

Other requests from the schools was a new roof, heating and windows at Cottesmore Primary School, an improved swimming pool at Edith Weston, new accommodation for foundation children at English Martyrs in Oakham, a new reception area at Great Casterton and a new roof, heating and toilets at Exton.

Schools in Empingham, Langham, Ryhall, Uppingham and Southfield School in Uppingham will be a priority for phase two of the investment during 2011-2014.

The Government's schools secretary Ed Balls said: "This is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform primary education in every part of the country - to sweep away buildings now reaching the end of their shelf-life and drive up the quality of our schools.

"This money means we can build state-of-the-art primary schools at the heart of our communities."