A prestigious girls' school is investing £3.5 million in a major building and refurbishment programme.

St Mary's Hall School in Brighton may have its foundations rooted firmly in the past but it is looking far into the future as building work gets well under way on a new junior department.

The new department will incorporate the current prep school building and accommodate pre-prep pupils under the same roof and is the first phase of redevelopment at the school.

A new senior boarding house, Year 11 common room, ICT suite and revamped netball and tennis courts are also planned.

Headteacher Sue Meek said: "At the moment our junior school is spread out across the campus.

"Bringing pre-prep and prep under one roof will be a great advantage for us both logistically so teachers and parents don't have to trail round the whole site and also in terms of feeling part of something with its own identity.

"The school was founded in 1836 and a lot of refurbishment over the years has been piece-meal. The school has very established grounds and the important thing for us is to make it as good as possible so we can hand it on to the next generation with the best possible legacy."

Construction work on the two-storey junior department, which will include classrooms, a library, hall and ICT suite, started at Easter and is expected to be completed by Christmas.

Developer ROK is responsible for building the junior department and staff members have hosted two presentation evenings at the school to inform parents about what they are doing.

Mrs Meek said: "We have had a very positive experience with ROK. They have been very sensitive to our needs and listened carefully to parents' concerns."

The school raised the £3.5 million necessary for all the improvements principally by selling off St Hilary House in Sussex Square, which was used as a senior boarding house and sixth form centre by the school. It was originally the home of famous architect Thomas Kemp, founder of Kemp Town.