PUPILS at Rushall School donned hard hats on Tuesday for a close-up inspection of a £458,000 extension that is going up around their classrooms.

Like the TV children's programme character Bob the Builder, they had to wear hard hats to inspect the builders' progress.

The walls of the extension that will give the school badly needed extra accommodation are already going up, said head teacher Marion Harvey.

When the builders have finished in time for the new autumn term, the school will have a new hall, kitchens, administration offices, an enlarged foyer, and a new IT suite with a built-in library area and the corridors made more attractive.

The school toilets for pupils and staff are also being refurbished.

The children have been following the progress and keeping a picture diary of all the changes.