MILLIONS of pounds has been spent maintaining and improving schools across the county to ensure they are fit for the new academic year.

During the summer holiday period, North Yorkshire County Council contractors undertook roof, window and boiler replacements across 49 school sites as part of an extensive £4m programme.

Major works such as extensions, new classrooms and kitchens was also undertaken to improve existing provision as well as creating additional school places to meet present and future need.

The county council has committed an additional £1m for further significant works during the remainder of the school year.

Overall this year the county council will have allocated nearly £12m to improving school sites.

The money is also being invested in site improvements to support school mergers and make split-site campuses work better.

County Councillor Patrick Mulligan, explained: “North Yorkshire is responsible for some 350 schools, many of them small and many with ageing or historic buildings.

“The funding we have provided from government allocations cannot address all of our school maintenance and modernisation needs, as these are considerable, but the works will make a significant difference.

“We want all our children and young people to enjoy the highest standards in teaching and learning and these works will help our schools continue to be fit for purpose to deliver a 21st century school curriculum.”

Among the schools refurbished was Risedale Sports and Community College in Richmondshire which now boasts a recording studio.