A SCHOOL'S £6.5m rebuild is complete, and pupils will today (WED) take their first lessons in the state-of-the-art facility.

Northwood School, built in the playing fields of North Road Primary School in Darlington, opened its doors for the first time this morning.

The building, at Pendleton Road South, features a variety of sustainable design features devised by architects, working alongside pupils and teachers.

It has a sedum planted roof, which will help reduce CO2 emissions, as well as a green wall, constructed with living plants and herbs.

Every classroom has access to an outside space - with garden terraces on the first floor.

The building provides the local community with facilities to use, such as meeting rooms.

It also includes a nursery and early years' facility, as Kids and Co at McNay Street moves to purpose-built facilities within the new building.

Across the road lies Northwood's predecessor, the old North Road Primary School, which was in use up until December, and is expected to be demolished in the next six weeks.

Teachers were yesterday putting the finishing touches to their classrooms, with furniture and lesson materials being prepared for the arrival of the children tomorrow.

Headteacher David Ackroyd, said the new building would prove to be an inspiration for staff and pupils alike.

"Staff, pupils and parents have all had some input," he added.

"From working with the architects to voting for the new school name and colours, we have tried to get everyone involved in the process.

"Whilst I will be sad to leave the old building - I did my teaching practice there in 1972 - I am really excited about the move and cannot thank the team behind the project enough for all their hard work and commitment."

Pupil Jason Foster, 11, said: "It's brilliant - the best school I have ever seen. I like the big hall and the dinner hall and I can't wait to move in."

Rebecca MacCormack, ten, said: "I really like the big hall - it's bigger than the old one."

Kieran Harper, ten, said: "I love the bright green colours and the roof is really cool - I've never seen a roof that like before. The language unit looks really good - language is my favourite subject."

Ebony Naisbitt, seven, said: "I love the new dinner hall and everything looks bright and new. "I like the new name and I can't wait to move in - it's like having a Christmas present after Christmas."