A NEW technology suite for school pupils has been given a VIP opening.

Darlington mayor, Paul Baldwin, accompanied by the mayoress Kim Baldwin, was the special guest at the official opening of West Park Academy’s new ICT suite.

The former classroom, which now boasts 15 top-of-the-range computers, was fully refurbished thanks to a donation of £2,320 from The Friends of West Park Academy.

A further £1,700 was donated by local firm AMEC and EDF Energy.

Teacher and ICT co-ordinator David Fraser said: “ICT is used in every lesson and supports all areas of our academy’s curriculum.

“Previously our ICT was suffering with a lack of resources and although we always had access to ICT via a small number of laptops these took up valuable learning time setting up and the equipment was getting a bit dated.

“Now we have a superb dedicated facility, with excellent equipment which will make a big difference to the education of our pupils.”

The new Friends of West Park Academy ICT Suite also has provision for an additional 15 terminals which the academy is set to buy through an Olympic sustainability and legacy bid.

Chair of The Friends of West Park Academy and teaching assistant Claire Heron said: “We wanted to give something back to the school and ICT is so important.

“The children have all been really enthusiastic and it’s wonderful to see them in here using all the new equipment.”