By Hayley Robinson

A vacant school building is to be given a new lease of life.

The former Doddington Primary School, in The Street, has been empty since it closed in December 2006 due to a fall in numbers.

But after successful negotiations with Kent County Council, Langley Park School for Boys in Bromley bought the Victorian building and the land to help enhance curriculum opportunities for its pupils.

Villagers were recently invited to a barbecue hosted at the school by governors and the Parents and Teachers Association from Langley Park.

Charlie Gamble, chairman of governors of Langley Park, said: "Our vision for Doddington school is to restore it for educational purposes, initially for our own pupils, but our ambition is to adapt it so that extended study can be provided for pupils over several days by changing the two main classrooms to small dormitories.

"We also want to explore ways in which the school will contribute to local education and also forge links with the Doddington community."

Repair work has started and it is hoped it will be ready for limited day use by September with a fuller programme and residential courses from the middle of 2011.

For the past 37 years the large comprehensive school, has owned a similar facility in Derbyshire village Youlgrave.

Head teacher Rob Northcott said: "We've been looking for another venue for three to four years somewhere closer to home and Doddington Primary school seemed an ideal solution as it's only 45 minutes away.

"We see it as a place where boys who are growing up in Bromley can get out in the countryside more frequently.

"We also see it as a place to run day courses in professional development for teachers and we want to share the facility with our neighbouring schools."

Sarah Hohler, KCC cabinet member for children, families and education, said: "The proceeds from the sale of the site partly funded Windchimes, a revolutionary centre for disabled children and their families."