Dozens of people flocked to an open night at Jarrow School to see plans for a hi-tech educational complex now under construction.

The borough's first specialist school of engineering, off Springwell Road in Jarrow, will welcome its first intake of pupils next October.
Headteacher Les Jones said: "Attendance at Jarrow School's annual open evening for prospective parents was double that of previous years.

"We were delighted to see our local parents, and the number of inquiries from new parents has increased markedly.

"Feedback from parents about our developments is overwhelmingly positive."

Mr Jones said that positive reaction is due to exam results improving threefold over the last three years, the new school building and the specialist status.

The £20m complex is a joint initiative by South Tyneside and Gateshead's councils, funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

The school is being built by Inspiredspaces and contractor Carillion as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Barry McGregor, the school's director of engineering, said: "It will give the young people of Jarrow the opportunity to attend a purpose-built specialist school, where they will experience engineering in its widest context."

All Year 5 and 6 students within the Jarrow catchment area will be given the chance to visit the school this month with their teachers.

Mr Jones added: "We're counting the days to the opening of the new school building.

"In just a year, new and existing students will walk into the building's atrium and see, for the first time, a completed and magnificent facility."