SPORTING students at a specialist college are showing that playing games is a serious business that can boost their learning and strengthen community ties.

Years of hard work at Sedgefield Community College, in County Durham, paid off yesterday when it celebrated its new specialist sports college status with an official launch by former Newcastle and England footballer Peter Beardsley.

The ceremony also recognised the college's recent Sportsmark Gold Award and marked the start of the Sedgefield School Sport Co-ordinator Partnership.

Mr Beardsley also opened new facilities, including tennis courts where Prime Minister Tony Blair enjoys an occasional game.

An artificial pitch and pavilion, a fitness suite and a computer suite have been built with grants from a range of funders, including the Lawn Tennis Association, Sport England and the Foundation for Sport and the Arts.

Before the college could apply for specialist status, former deputy headteacher Mervyn Armstrong dedicated hours to raising £50,000 from businesses and through school and community efforts.

The college already boasts its own sporting stars, including Hartlepool United goalkeeper Jim Provett, Darlington Football Club apprentice Gavin Parkin, gymnast and athletics coach Terri Stevenson, Durham County Under-17 squash star Emma Rowesby and national junior ice skater Edward Hammond. They joined in the games yesterday afternoon.

Assistant head Mirjam Buhler-Willey said that the status opened up opportunities for the 970 pupils.

She said: "Apart from the extra facilities, we now include sports in schemes of work and move lessons into the PE hall where appropriate. It has had an impact across the whole curriculum.

"Local clubs and associations use our facilities and we have a significantly closer relationship with the community and primary schools in the area, as well as Rosebank special school."