STUDENTS are making use of superb new facilities at Thomas Clarkson Community College after phase one of the �30million redevelopment was completed.

The state-of-the-art building has taken 16 months to complete and includes all the teaching accommodation spread across three new ‘learning communities’.

The entrances to each ‘community’ has a picture of the person it’s named after - Pankhurst, King and Madiba - but also includes the name of each of the school’s 1,500 students and of the team which built the new complex.

A new atrium is at the heart of the new school, which includes a climbing wall and a green wall. There is also a new sports wing, ICT equipment and wireless covereage throughout the building.

Environmental measures to reduce its impact include biomass heating and solar panels.

Principal Maureen Strudwick, whose vision inspired the new building, said: “Many, many people have worked extremely hard to turn the ideas for our new school into breathtaking reality.

“I am delighted with what has been achieved and I am confident that our fantastic new surroundings will help us to continue to improve everything we do at Thomas Clarkson Community College.”

Work on phase two, which includes demolition of the college’s existing buildings, development of a new hall/theatre and other performing arts accommodation, as well as the new car park and external landscaping, starts this week. The whole project is due to be completed by November 2012.

Thomas Clarkson Community College is the second school in the Fenland Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme to occupy part of its new accommodation.

Phase one at Neale-Wade Community College in March was handed over in August 2011 and work started last summer at three other schools in the programme – Cromwell Community College in Chatteris, Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey and Meadowgate School in Wisbech.

Cambridgeshire County Councillor David Harty, Cabinet member for learning, said: “Councillors and officers have worked hard to secure this investment in Fenland’s secondary schools.

“I am very pleased to see phase one at Thomas Clarkson completed on time and real improvements being made at the school to give students the best educational opportunities.”