A SCHOOL is enjoying a double celebration after a new £1.4m classroom block was opened and students triumphed in a national legal competition.

Richmond MP William Hague took time out from his 43rd birthday celebrations to officially open the extension, the first stage of a ten-year development at 1,440-pupil Stokesley School.

The block has 12 new maths and science classrooms to replace portable accommodation used since 1959. The scheme has been financed by North Yorkshire County Council Education Service and the school.

Building work began last June, and despite problems with the ground and weather, the block was completed in December. Staff and children moved in last month.

Future plans include a performing arts and community learning suite, with a theatre, better entrance, dining hall, sports and recreation facilities, improved sixth form college and office accommodation.

On Saturday, students won the Bar National Mock Trial Competition.

The competition, organised by the Bar Council and the Citizenship Foundation, took place at the Old Bailey in London and was judged by leading legal figures.

Stokesley School pitted their legal skills against 15 other schools from across the UK.