The £12million school, in Reading Road, South Shields has hi-tech IT suites, an open-plan art room, a technology “barn” and more exciting facilities are already on the way as part of a second phase of works.

Mortimer is the first Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project in South Tyneside to open its doors to pupils, and its facilities are a sign of things to come in the borough.

Head teacher, Claire Mullane said: “I remember drawing squares on a piece of paper, now they are classrooms - a reality. It’s great to see those ideas come to fruition and work so fantastically well. It’s great to come to work every day.

“The kids asked for four things - a large entrance, loads of natural light, lots of colour and social spaces - and we have delivered on all of those.

It’s been like moving into a new house - it’s lovely when it starts to feel like home, and it now feels like home. It’s ours.”

Mullane gave the council’s lead member for children and young people, councillor Jim Foreman and executive director for children and young people, Helen Watson to a tour of the new building.

Councillor Foreman said: “First impressions of the school are impressive, but the more you come in and get used to it, the better feeling it has. It’s tremendous. I was particularly interested to hear that a panel of pupils has been involved in the school’s design from start to finish, and their influence is there for all to see when walking around the building. “The school received its best ever GCSE results this summer, and with facilities like this it is in a great position to go from strength to strength. We have dreamed big with our BSF projects, and to see the first dream become a reality is really exciting. If the rest of the BSF schools are up to this standard, the young people in South Tyneside have got a lot to look forward to.”

Watson added: “It’s absolutely stunning. It’s fantastic that children and young people in South Shields can come to a learning space like this. I’m sure it will lift the aspirations and achievement of the school even further.”

Mortimer Community College is the result of a partnership between South Tyneside and Gateshead councils, and is being funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families under the BSF programme. It is being developed by the council’s private sector consortium inspiredspaces with
contractor Carillion building the school.

The second and final phase of works is due to be completed next Spring and involves the creation of playing fields, dance, drama and music studios as well as the refurbishment of the school’s sports hall