Two new pre-fab classrooms and a pre-school unit will be added, and the main building refurbished to include a proper hall and library - taking Tetsworth's capacity to 72.

Currently only 28 children are on the register.

Sarah Bhagat, chair of governors, said she was delighted that after several years of trying to get the school improved, construction finally began on Tuesday, paid for by Oxfordshire County Council.

"You always hear about local authorities closing rural schools but it is really very encouraging that they have decided to improve our facilities. The county council's strap line is about education being in the heart of the community and this really is doing that."

She said that negotiations with the council had been a 'long road,' taking around seven years, and compromises had had to be struck - particularly evident in the pre-fabricated classrooms.

"In official documentation they are referred to as temporary classrooms but they are long-term temporary classrooms. They will have things like interactive boards and they will be in keeping with the environment around it," she said.

After all the works are completed by the start of new school year in September, Mrs Bhagat said she hopes they will be able to encourage more children to attend.

"This is an exciting, visionary step forward which creates the opportunity to build up our fine primary school," she said. "We are not running at full capacity and want to encourage more children. Should parents like to come and see the school then they would be very welcome."

She added that having the pre-school on-site, rather than in the village hall, would hopefully see more children feed through to primary level.

"It wont be a complete turn-around in 12 months, but at least the facilities will be there," she added.