THE latest phase of a multi-million pound school upgrading will be opened in Newton Aycliffe today.

Greenfield Community School and Arts College will have provision for an extra 131 places as a result of the work.

The school has undergone a transformation in recent years.

In 1996, a £164,000 music suite was opened. Prime Minister Tony Blair opened a £1m community arts centre on the site in June, 2000.

The school, the first in the region to gain specialist arts college status, has recently introduced improved tennis courts, which have proved a popular new feature.

The latest £400,000 improvements at the school are to be opened this afternoon by local county councillor Keith Henderson.

Main features of the new development include a new entrance and administration area, to provide a focal point for the entrance to the school, as opposed to the community arts facility.

This incorporates a new head teacher's office, two deputy head teachers' offices, a staff room and a new reception area.

A new block has been created, including two additional classrooms, one for pupils with special educational needs and the other for social inclusion students.

Existing English classrooms have been upgraded, with the provision of an integral information technology suite.

Councillor Neil Foster, Durham County Council's cabinet member for education, said: "The Local Education Authority identified the need for an additional 131 places at Greenfield, in order to meet the needs of children within the area both now and in the foreseeable future.

"We worked closely with the headteacher in order to maximise the development that has taken place.

"The end result is of significant benefit to the authority, the school and, most importantly, to the pupils."

Headteacher Mike Thornton said he was delighted with the provision of the new teaching facilities.

He said they would have a positive impact on the school.

"In addition, the new staff and office accommodation will greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of this key area, which is so essential for the smooth operation of a modern school," he said.