A PLANNING application has been formally submitted for an extension to Ross High School.

The application, which has been lodged with East Lothian Council, refers only to phase one of the proposed extension work, which includes the new two-storey teaching block.

If approved, it will house 16 new classrooms for art, ICT, business studies and modern languages, as well as a social area with a small canteen.

Phase two will include new sports facilities.

Before the planning application had been submitted, the plans were presented to members of the school community by project team FES and Hub South East to allow people the opportunity to view them and provide feedback.

East Lothian Council set aside £10 million out of its five-year capital improvement budget in February for the work, which will take about a year to complete.

Paul Reynolds, headteacher of Ross High School, said: “The school will soon be home to a significant extension that will improve the facilities and learning opportunities for our current young people and for many more over the years to come.

“The extension will include an upgrade and increase to the sports facilities and changing rooms, as well as a new classroom block.

“There will also be change to the main school building, as the numbers of pupils increase, which will include new purpose-built drama studios and a much-welcomed upgrade to the toilet facilities across the school.

“This is a very exciting time for Ross High School and we are looking forward to continuing to improve the learning experiences made available to all our pupils.”

If the plans are approved, work is due to start in the autumn.