Sponsored by
Official opening of £22m school
SOUTH Tyneside's newest school has officially opened its doors.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Ofsted chief inspector Christine Gilbert were guests of honour at Whitburn C of E School yesterday.
The pair unveiled a plaque marking the school's official opening after taking a tour around the school and enjoying an special assembly.
During the service, headteacher Paula Williams said: "I would like to remind everyone that what works in education – hard work and a rigorous pursuit of the highest possible standards – also works in building, design and construction.
"That also includes laughter, determination and a focus on people, in our case the wonderful young people of Whitburn, to whom this magnificent building has been given."
The new 22m school opened to students after the Easter break and boasts cutting-edge education facilities and the latest technology, including fingerprint recognition registration.
Mr Miliband told the assembly: "It's a huge privilege and honour to be here.
"Every time I have been in this school over the last seven or eight years I have felt a sense of excitement, a sense of inspiration and a sense of pride.
"I have to say as I came down the driveway and looked through the school to the sea, you feel a sense of wonderment and I believe that is the heart of an effective education system.
"That sense of inspiration is something that every one of you should feel."
Ofsted rated every aspect of Whitburn C of E School as 'outstanding' following its recent inspection.
Ms Gilbert told students: "I want to pay tribute to what you have been doing to create this terrific school.
"Ofsted inspects every school in the country. We inspect roughly 6,000 to 7,000 a year.
"I have not read the reports for all those schools, but I have read yours, and it was terrific.
"Build on what you have achieved, well done on what you have achieved and I look forward to Ofsted inspectors coming back and it being even better."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
