PLANS for seven new classrooms at an academy in Clacton have been inspired by the resort’s colourful beach huts.

Ravens Academy, in Nayland Drive, is set to undergo a major redevelopment as part of plans to take in almost 150 extra pupils.

The former Ravenscroft School was branded one of the worst in the county less than four years ago, but it has celebrated an astonishing turnaround since becoming an academy and was last year rated as Good by Ofsted.

Its new building proposals have now been given top marks by planners at Tendring Council, although a final decision will be made by County Hall.

The scheme involves demolishing temporary classrooms and transferring children into a new building.

It will be themed on a beach huts design and constructed next to the main school building, which is also set to be refurbished.

A report said: “The Clacton beach huts have been used as the inspiration for the classroom and landscape design for the new building.

“Similarly to the beach huts, we propose that the classrooms are clad in timber boarding with a colourful striped pattern.”

The new building will contain six classrooms and should be completed by September, if it gets the green light.