A GROUP of Hampshire schools have been ranked as some of the best historical buildings in the country.

Three schools built in the 1980s by Hampshire County Council have been awarded Grade II listings by the department of digital, culture, media and sport.

Bosmere Junior School in Havant, Springwood Junior School in Waterlooville and Fleet Infant School were all thought to be worthy of the award by Historic England.

The ranking means the school buildings are of the same architectural and historical significance to the nation as other Hampshire landmarks such as the Hurst Point Lighthouse in the New Forest, and the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.

Springwood Junior School was built in 1981 and is one of a series of 'barn'-like schools using a simple concept and large roof "to stylish effect."

Bosmere Juniors was built in 1982 and got the recognition for its "sophisticated layout", traditional materials and "rich interiors".

And Fleet School - built in 1985 - won is accolade for its light weight steel frame, cost effective build and Teflon-coated PVC canopies.

Hampshire County Council's education chief Councillor Peter Edgar, said: “It may surprise some that schools built as recently as the 1980s are of such historical importance, but it highlights the talent and innovation of our County Council architects at the time, to provide the very best learning environments for our children - a fine tradition that continues today.

“We are very proud of this recognition. My congratulations go to all those originally involved in planning, designing and building the schools as well as to all the staff and pupils at Bosmere, Fleet and Springwood on receiving this special status. There is no doubt that some of the Hampshire schools that we are building today could also be judged as historically important, in 30 years time.”

The schools submitted requests to Historic England to become Grade II listed. These were then put forward as recommendations to, and approved, by the Secretary of State for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

The new listings is part of Historic England’s work, since 2012, to assess the best examples of post-war schools around the country, to permanently mark a building’s architectural and historic significance so that specific protection can be considered in managing its future.