GOBSMACKED children at a Halesowen primary school had a surprise this week when their headteacher revealed their school would be rebuilt.

The children at Huntingtree Primary School let out a big cheer when Stevie Parkes and schools minister Nick Boles MP told them the news during assembly on Monday.

The school will have a new building for pupils aged three to six pupils built under the Government’s flagship Priority School Building Programme.

Mrs Parkes, who has been at the school 23 years, said: "Monday really was a brilliant day for the school and it was wonderful to see all the children cheering when we told them they would be getting a new building.

"We are currently in a building which is sub-standard so hopefully work will begin sooner rather than later."

The building is almost 60 years old and has crumbling window sills and a leaky roof which causes children to be evacuated regularly.

Mrs Parkes added: “I am so thrilled to think that our children and the community will have a 21st century school.”

The new infant school building will include classrooms, a hall, toilets and a space for creative activities.

The school, which has 420 pupils, is split between two buildings, with the site used to teach key stage two children remaining as it is fit for purpose.

Mrs Parkes added: "We are looking forward to seeing the various designs the architects will put forward for the new building, it will be a very exciting period for everyone at the school.

"The benefit of the new building will make school life more aesthetically uplifting for pupils and staff alike."

She added: "It was great having the schools minister and all the media at the school as the children could say they had been on television."

Schools minister Nick Boles, who was accompanied around the school by Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris, said: " I enjoyed going to Huntingtree Primary School to tell kids the infant school building will be rebuilt. They cheered.

"What people like the Government to do is put in enough money so there are good schools for their children."

The Government would not disclose how much money will be allocated to Huntingtree Primary School or when the rebuild will start. 

The Government announced this week the schools which would be included in the £6 billion Priority School Building Programme which replaced the previous Building Schools for the Future scheme.

Causeway Green Primary School, Oldbury, missed out again on Government investment despite having an out-of-date school building.