A NEW £7.8 million school for Poole has been given the green light from full council and is now seeking the go-ahead from the government.

Rebuilding Hillbourne School at Waterloo is the Borough of Poole's top priority under its Schools for the Future initiative and it could be achieved in 2012.

Cllr Tony Woodcock, portfolio holder for children and young people, said: "It's an old school, in a poor state."

The first and middle school amalgamated in September 2006 and operate from the two separate neighbouring buildings in Kitchener Crescent.

If the plan is agreed by the government, the money would be released in 2009/11 and the school, due to become a primary from 2013, would include community and child support facilities.

Also approved was £1.3m to provide extra classes at popular Lilliput First School, for another form of entry.

Cllr Mike White, portfolio holder for Schools for the Future said of the package of proposals: "We believe we have followed all government guidelines and are hopeful it will be approved."

Hillbourne school, which has 414 pupils aged three to 12, recently had its first Ofsted inspection since the amalgamation, which gave it a satisfactory rating, but with areas of under performance.

Standards were broadly average at both key stages and teaching satisfactory. Children in the foundation stage were happy and confident and satisfactory progress was made in reception classes.

To improve further the school needs to increase the challenge for more able pupils, ensure teaching takes into account the levels pupils have already reached and improve the way progress is tracked.

The local authority has been providing a structured programme of support since September 2007 to help raise standards, and a new head teacher is to join in September.

Chief education adviser Stuart Twiss said a rigorous pupils Assessment for Learning process would help the school improve, as well as the new build and the strong leadership team.