A MAJOR facelift is planned which will see a New Milton school brought firmly into the 21st century.

The main building at The Arnewood School will receive a £2.5 million overhaul which will see it stripped bare apart from its main structural walls and replaced with an improved, more environmentally friendly façade, ceiling and windows.

Temporary classrooms will arrive on site from next month and the process of moving out of the building will begin.

Scaffolding will be erected in February 2018 and work will begin soon afterwards.

Everything in the 1970s building will be replaced, including the ceiling, windows and carpets, and the improvements will result in the building being warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

This is the first major work done at the school in 40 years and students will be able to move into their new home by spring 2019.

It was made possible after Arnewood successfully secured a Condition Improvement grant from the government.

Head teacher, Nigel Pressnell, said: "This is fantastic news for everyone at the school as our ageing building will receive a much-needed update.

"Not only will the modernisation mean the building will be a lot more environmentally friendly and cost efficient but its exterior will be far more attractive as well.

"We have always been proud that our school is one of the first things you see when you drive into New Milton and soon we’ll be an even more attractive gateway for the town."

CEO of The Gryphon Trust, which includes The Arnewood School, Alan O’Sullivan, said: "This is excellent news not only for the current staff and students but also future generations who come to work and study here.

"We are all very excited for this new gateway building to be completed and provide first class 21st century provision for our community."