PUPILS forced to learn in conditions so cold they have to wear coats to class will soon benefit from almost half a million pounds of improvements.

Chalkwell Hall Infant School use portable and temporary classrooms which are so cold pupils have to wrap up like they are outside but all that could change if the latest budget is agreed.

Southend Council is planning to invest £300,000 in the London Road school.

Chalkwell Hall will also take out an £85,000 loan and a school programme budget should contribute the remaining £100,000.

The money will go towards the construction of a new building that will house four modern classrooms, together with new LED lighting, solar panels, boiler room insulation and in-classroom heating controls in the main building.

They will replace temporary, portable classrooms which are 39-years-old with such poor heating and insulation that children are taught in their coats during the winter.

Headteacher Sarah Clements said: “We are extremely excited about the plans to demolish our three 39-year-old temporary classrooms.

“We hope to replace them with a four class, state-of-the-art, eco-friendly block.

“The staff and children can’t wait for the our new build to arrive, we are hoping that work will commence in late May.”

The extra council investment will be made up of £110,000 which will be derived from a government grant and £190,000 from corporate borrowing.

This borrowing is expected to be covered by revenue generated from energy savings gained from the new building.

Councillor Helen Boyd, cabinet member for children and learning, said: “The existing temporary classrooms are not fit for purpose.

“This project would result in modern, energy-efficient facilities that will provide a much improved and more comfortable learning environment while reducing the energy bills in the long term.

“The work will also contribute to the fulfilment of the objectives of our EU 2Impresz project.”

It is hoped this will be the last winter for the classrooms.