EDUCATION bosses are trying to breathe new life into schools, large and small, across the county.

The county council is spending close to £3.3m on scores of primary and secondary schools to try to improve the provision for the county's children.

The projects vary from small-scale developments in tiny rural communities to large schemes in some of the bigger towns - all with the aim of improving the learning environment.

Some of the schemes will provide extra teaching space and others will replace temporary classrooms - such as the primary school at Romanby, near Northallerton, where extra classrooms are being built at a cost of £255,000.

In an effort to encourage youngsters to use public transport, so that parents in turn can leave their cars at home, a number of schemes are designed to improve bus-parking.

They include Bedale School, where work is to be carried out at a cost of £65,000.

About £1.15m has been earmarked to improve access at a number of schools, both primary and secondary, and involving such work as building ramps and improving toilets.

These include new £35,000 toilets at Askrigg Voluntary-Controlled Primary School, in Wensleydale, a £70,000 lift at Le Cateau School, Catterick Garrison, and accessible toilets at Richmond Church of England Primary School and Richmond Methodist Primary School, each costing £15,000.

Chris Metcalfe, the county's executive member for education, said: "The fabric of our schools is paramount. Having the right learning environment is almost as important as employing the best teachers."

He added: "This extra money will ensure the two work hand in hand to give our children the best possible start to life by providing high quality teaching in excellent schools.

"Environment is pivotal, which is why we are spending so much on facilities, access in particular, so children in North Yorkshire can make the most of the superb educational standards this county council is delighted to offer."