An Academy Trust is pledging to spend more than £60,000 this summer on refurbishments at a school which is set to link up with the Trust.

Lee Mason-Ellis, chief executive of The Pioneer Academy (TPA), has announced the planned work at Halstead Community Primary School on Otford Lane, Sevenoaks, which it is hoped will “substantially upgrade pupils' learning environment” in time for the next academic year.

Areas which will benefit from a facelift include the main hall, the IT suite, classrooms, the staff room, store rooms, the lobby, the school office and the reception.

A variety of work will be undertaken in these different areas, which will include a thorough redecoration of the walls and ceilings, while new flooring will be installed, along with new lighting and new blinds.

It comes with the school - which looks after around 60 children - set to join The Chislehurst-based Pioneer Academy after running a consultation, with Halstead saying it will join the Trust on February 1 or as soon as possible after that date.

Mr Mason-Ellis said: “I’m delighted for The Pioneer Academy to make this capital investment in Halstead Community Primary School in order to benefit the staff and pupils, and (I) look forward to telling you all more about the designs going forward.

“The children at Halstead deserve to learn in an environment that reflects the top-quality teaching they receive and everyone at TPA is excited to deliver this upgrade for them.”

Head teacher Leslie Hawkins said: “Our school is well loved - but some of the buildings and rooms are in need of some TLC.

“I welcome this substantial investment from TPA and cannot wait for the big reveal in the autumn term.”