SCHOOL buildings could be extended and an extra 162 staff employed in West Sussex schools under new spending plans.

West Sussex County Council's education committee is likely to approve an extra £21 million for work on school buildings across the county, which is three times the Government's recommended amount, at a meeting tomorrow.

The cash will be spent on extending Maidenbower Middle School in Crawley, The Angmering School and Summerlea Community Primary School in Rustington, which all need new buildings to cope with an increase in numbers.

Money will also be spent on Lindfield Primary School and on replacements for Pound Hill First School in Crawley and Ashington Primary School.

And councillors will hear tomorrow about plans to increase the education budget by another £21 million - a rise of 7.6 per cent - leading to a total of £298 million.

The cash will pay for an extra 62 teachers and 100 other staff, including more classroom assistants, for schools across West Sussex.

A council spokeswoman said schools had to be extended to meet the demand for more places as new homes were built in some areas.

Three million pounds will be given directly to schools as part of a programme to give head teachers and governors more control over their spending.

And £117,000 will be given to the Early Years Education scheme to set up a new information service on childcare for parents.

Education committee chairman Neil Matthewson said: "This is a very good budget for education in general and for schools in particular.

"Heads and governors will have six per cent more cash to spend on each pupil in our schools.

"The capital programme shows an investment of £81.3 million over four years, which will be increased still further by bids to other external funds.

"We are spending substantially below the Government's guidelines of £65 per pupil on central administration and I expect our costs

to fall to around £50 per

pupil.

"All in all, this is an excellent package, delivering our commitment to put education first."

If the education committee accepts the budget, it will go on to be considered by the county council's policy and resources committee on January 28 for final approval.

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