Pupils across Denbighshire are having to go to school in buildings that are not up to top standards.

A report before councillors on the county’s performance scrutiny committee said that 22 schools are providing education in buildings that have the lowest suitability and condition.

But a £90m investment in Denbighshire’s schools has seen more than 3,500 pupils benefit from improved facilities.

The first phase of the Denbighshire County Council and Welsh Government-funded 21st Century Schools programme has seen new schools built as well as major redevelopments of existing sites with a quarter of the county’s pupils having their educational experience transformed.

It is hoped that the project will improve standards in school buildings across the county.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the council’s lead member for education, children and young people, said: “This investment has radically altered the learning environment for thousands of pupils.

“They are no longer being taught in outdated classrooms, they are now in state-of-the-art, bright and fit for purpose areas.

“The evidence is already showing this has changed pupils’ approach to learning and helping them achieve even more at school.

“Making sure young people have the right skills is a key priority under our Corporate Plan and we will continue to invest in the county’s schools as we look towards the next phase of the 21st Century Schools programme with the Welsh Government.”

As part of the project, there has been a new £24m replacement school of 1200 places for Rhyl High School and Ysgol Tir Morfa, a £16.5m extension and refurbishment for Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph and a new £10.5m joint site for Rhos Street School and Ysgol Pen Barras in Ruthin.

Other work includes a £3.5m seven-classroom extension and refurbishment with new reception area and hall at Bodnant Community School, Prestatyn as well as a £1.4m three-classroom extension and refurbishment at Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy, Cynwyd.

Work has also started on the last three projects of the first phase, a £5m new school building for Ysgol Carreg Emlyn, Clocaenog, a £5.3m new school building for Ysgol Llanfair along with the new £23m Christ the Word Catholic High School in Rhyl.