Newmarket School to get four-storey classroom block

The four storey building is expected to be completed by term one 2018. Photo / Supplied

Newmarket School will get a four-storey classroom block to cater for its growing roll as part of an $8.7 million redevelopment of the site.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye said it would be the first four-storey block at a state school. Newmarket School is expected to grow from 280 this year to 450 students in 2020.

Kaye said building upwards would allow the school to meet that roll growth without having to sacrifice any of its outdoor space. It is on a site of just over one hectare.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye said it would be the first four-storey block at a state school. Photo / Supplied

Epsom MP and Act leader David Seymour said it was a welcome move as Auckland Council looked at increasing housing density on the CBD fringe under the Unitary Plan.

"One school tells me there are 1800 apartments under construction in its zone, if the inner city suburbs are to build up, then at the very least the Government must fund schools to match them."

The building will also house a replacement school hall and administration block. Photo / Supplied

The new building is expected to be completed by term one 2018. It will house 11 "teaching spaces" that can be changed to cater for small or large groups of students.

It will also house a replacement school hall and administration block -- taking the total number of classrooms at the school to 21.