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 paid off yesterday when the staff and students celebrated 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 occasionally plays a few sets.

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

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

The college already has sporting stars among its former pupils, including Hartlepool United goalkeeper Jim Provett, Darlington FC apprentice Gavin Parkin, gymnast and athletics coach Terri Stevenson, Durham Under-17 squash star Emma Rowesby and national junior ice skater Edward Hammond.

They joined in the games yesterday afternoon.

Assistant headteacher Mirjam Buhler-Willey said that the new status had opened up opportunities for all 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."