Tens of millions of pounds is being awarded to nine Kent schools for state-of-the-art rebuilds and refurbishments.

The funding is coming following their bids to the Department of Education (DfE) for the works.

The ambitious schemes, says the government, will transform the ageing schools and ensure they are "fit for the future".

The DfE says all the new buildings - including classrooms, sports halls, science blocks, dining rooms and other facilities - will be designed to the highest energy efficient standards.

In an announcement by the DfE, the latest Kent schools set to benefit are: Birchington Primary School, Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School in Ramsgate, Rosherville Primary Academy and Saint George's School, both in Gravesend, The Howard Academy Trust in Medway, St Anselm's School in Canterbury, St Simon Stock in Maidstone, The Lenham School, and Water Meadows Primary School at Hersden.

The bids follow successful Kent funding awards in July to the Orchards Academy in Swanley, Pilgrims Way Primary School in Canterbury, St Mary's Primary School in Gillingham and Wrotham Secondary School.

Millions of pounds is expected to be awarded to Water Meadows Primary School in Hersden which is expanding to meet the huge housebuilding in the area.

Built in the early 1960s and originally known as Hersden Primary School, it is now managed by the Stour Academy Trust which predicts pupils numbers to rise from the current 150 to 420 over the next 10 years.

Bosses say they are "thrilled" the school has been selected for funding from the DfE's "school rebuilding programme".

The works will include the construction of new classrooms, a sports hall and dining room, replacing old facilities. They will be more energy efficient and net-zero in operation, providing "a modern and sustainable education environment for our pupils", they add.

The trust says its plans for the expansion of the school are already commissioned and it is now waiting on contact from the DfE for further information and timescales.

Hoping for a new school in Canterbury are leaders at St Anselm's Catholic Secondary, where they have a vision for a £15 million new building.

"It's hard to see how you could fix it without a new building...."

Also built in the early 1960s, the building is now "past its sell by date", according to executive principal Mike Walters.

"The fabric is reasonable secure but it's largely what's underneath like the water, heating and electrics which are defunct," he told KentOnline.

"It's hard to see how you could fix it without a new building, which would cost around £15 million.

"Of course, many of us who have been here a while have an affection for the old building but we are also excited at the prospect of getting a new school, which would be fabulous.

"But we don't know yet if that is what will happen as surveyors will make that assessment on whether they will work with what we already have or decide a new build is what's needed."

Bosses at Lenham School near Maidstone say its rebuild project will be of significant benefit to pupils, staff and visitors.

They were told of the funding by Faversham and Mid Kent Helen Whatley MP, who visited the school last month to confirm the announcement.

Writing on the Valley Invicta Academies Trust website, CEO Julie Derrick describes the news as "the best Christmas present we could have hoped for".

She adds: "We are absolutely thrilled to hear that The Lenham School has been chosen as part of the schools rebuilding programme.

"The difference this major investment project will make to all our students, staff and visitors alike, is immeasurable."

Meanwhile at Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School, there are hopes to build a new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) building.

Business manager Chris Freeman said: "The school has been trying to obtain funds to replace its ageing science building, five maths mobiles, one sports science mobile and three design technology mobiles for many years but had been unsuccessful in obtaining the grants necessary to carry out these plans.

"We have received notification from Baroness Barran, Under-Secretary of State for Schools, informing us that Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School has been provisionally prioritised under wave four of the school rebuilding programme.

"The news that we have been selected has been met very positively by staff within the school."

Head teacher Debra Liddicoat said: "Since becoming head of this wonderful school in 2012, I have been mindful of the need to improve some of our buildings which, I must admit, have been very difficult to work within.

"It is a testament to both our wonderful staff and students, who have worked so resiliently in these trying environments, that we can now offer them a significantly improved teaching and learning working space. I cannot wait for the building works to start.”

A spokesman for the Rosherville Primary Academy said it was delighted the school had been successful in its funding bid.

They added: "Following extensive improvement works to the sports block, science block, new learning block and sixth form, the art/tech block is the last piece of the school’s estates plan."

Director of finance and operations at the Howard School, Kyle Taylor said: "Being part of the rebuilding programme will benefit the 1,500 children that attend the Howard School and will ensure that school estate continues to be modernised following on from the recent opening of our new state-of-the-art, design/technology and science block in November 2021."