PUPILS and staff at a Newton Aycliffe school are celebrating the opening of a technology centre fit for 21st Century learning.

The £438,000 development at Greenfield School Community and Arts College includes two classrooms for teaching electronics and other technology subjects.

The extension is linked to the main building with a covered corridor which has created extra display space and an old workshop was transformed into an extra visual arts room.

Headteacher Mike Thornton said: "This investment has had a big hit on a number of areas.

"Previously we were working in a room a quarter of the size of the main new room, which we believe was one of the poorest in the local education authority.

"Now everything has a place, can be easily found, pupils have space to work and it is warm and comfortable.

"The remodelling of the existing workshop created a fourth visual arts room.

"We've had seven successful years as a specialist arts college and this can only help us drive up standards further."

Mr Thornton said teachers have already noticed a improvements in pupils' behaviour and achievement, thanks to their new environment.

He said: "They can concentrate more and are calmer in class.

"Pupils can easily move from one task to another without having to put one lot of equipment away first, and they can store their practical and design work safely."

The technology accommodation was developed by Durham County Council and funded from its School Modernisation Fund.

Durham County Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for children's services, and local member Councillor Dorothy Bowman officially opened the new accommodation on Wednesday.

Coun Foster said: "I firmly believe that this educational development will represent major benefits for pupils, both now and in future years.

"Greenfield School Community and Arts College is already a successful school.

"Now we have a school building that matches its excellence and high aspirations."

Coun Bowman added: "The building will be a model for other facilities and the school will be very strongly positioned to deliver the best possible secondary education for the future."