A headteacher donned a hard hat to perform the topping out ceremony of a £1.5m project for new buildings at her school.

Building work at Fritwell Primary School, near Bicester, is due to be completed by September. Victorian school buildings and a small part of the school's playground were sold to help fund the work. Oxfordshire County Council also contributed.

Headteacher Clare Critchley said: "The majority of the money has come from the village with support from the governors."

New classrooms and other amenities were built at the school in the 1960s, but pupils still had to use parts of the Victorian buildings.

Some of the 1960s' buildings will be replaced during the new building project, which involves the creation of new classrooms, a kitchen, reception area and toilets. Improved access for the disabled will also be provided.

Mrs Critchley said: "Children have been involved in the design of the buildings as much as possible and the quiet area of the playground. We are all looking forward to the project being finished.

"The facilities in the new buildings and the refurbishment of existing classrooms will create a first-class learning environment for all pupils and staff."