OLYMPIC swimmer Sharon Davies was on hand to officially launch a new school today (Tuesday, January 15).

Dene Community School of Technology in Peterlee, east Durham, is part of a £12m Building Schools for the Future project overseen by Durham County Council.

The new building, which can take up to 780 pupils, has been in use since last October.

The completion of the external work is expected to be finished by the summer.

Councillor Claire Vasey, Durham County Council cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Dene 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 which is 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.