A NEW school will be officially opened by Olympic swimmer Sharon Davies tomorrow (Tuesday, January 15).

Dene Community School of Technology in Peterlee is part of a £12million Building Schools for the Future project which has been overseen by Durham County Council.

New and refurbished accommodation replaces the old school, which can now take up to 780 pupils.

The project started in April 2011, with the new building opening in October 2012.

The demolition and completion of the external areas is now in progress with all work set to be finished by the summer.

Councillor Claire Vasey, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Dene Community School is a fantastic example of the huge improvements we have achieved through school capital funding and will undoubtedly lead to higher achievements by its students.”

The focal point of the school is a new flexible ‘heart’ space surrounded by new teaching spaces, halls, a library and dining area. Specialist teaching areas and the sports facilities are housed in new separate refurbished blocks.