A SCHOOL has unveiled a series of facilities that should benefit its pupils and the wider community.

Sunnydale Community College, in Shildon, has spent almost £500,000 upgrading its dining, computing, music and sporting amenities.

They were opened by Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman.

The work follows the school's designation as a specialist maths and computing college last year and supports its aims to provide pupils and the town with topgrade facilities.

The showpiece feature is a £250,000 kitchen and dining area with internet access called Cafe Hotspot, which community groups will be invited to use out of school hours.

The investment has also seen the development of a recording studio with mixing equipment linked to the school's music department.

About £75,000 worth of doors and windows have also been installed in the school's main block.

Ms Goodman watched a trampoline display in the school's sports hall with its four newly-acquired Olympic-standard trampolines, a greater number than any other school in the county can offer. Pupils can use a film projector to play back their routines to see how to improve.

The MP also acted as official starter for a cross-country event at the town's athletics stadium, part of the school campus, where the running track has been resurfaced.

Headteacher Sue Byrne said: "This investment has resulted in a huge improvement in the facilities the school can offer its pupils and the reaction from them to the changes has been tremendously positive.

"But it is not just the young people of the town who will benefit.

"We are actively negotiating with our partners at the leisure centre to increase the community use of these facilities."

Ms Goodman said: "The facilities I've seen are brilliant.

"Dining with the students is much more pleasant, the music, computing and sports developments are all fantastic.

"I'm really pleased about the way they have used the investment.

"It is quite clear that the improvements have grabbed pupils' enthusiasm and imagination.

"If young people are turned on by new things in one area of schools, it can encourage them to learn in other areas."