WORK is well under way on a hi-tech sports facility as part of the complete transformation of a North East school.
The translucent eco sports hall forms part of a £3m development project at Darlington School of Mathematics and Science, one of the fastest improving academies in the country.
The huge superstructure is being clad in a special advanced material which lets natural light into the building allowing students to use the facility during the day without the lights on, thereby saving energy.
Built to the highest specification the hall will also allow the school to host local, national and international competitions and will feature four badminton courts, basketball facilities and cricket nets.
The sports hall forms the final part of a suite of facilities which include a renovated swimming pool and improvements to outdoor space.
The academy plans to open up the facility to the community and to avoid congestion on Eggleston View is creating a 90 space car park at the front of the school taking to 120 the capacity of the site.
Renovations at the school will continue over the summer holidays with all the roofs of the 1960s building being replaced bringing to £3.5m the amount of money spent on the school so far since it became an academy.
Head teacher Calvin Kipling said: “Sport is an integral part of the curriculum which is good for the body and the mind. It helps create a sense of healthy rivalry and competition which act as driving forces in young people’s lives.”
DSMS has seen a rejuvenation of fortunes since it was taken over by new management in 2010 leading to a complete overhaul of facilities and the curriculum.
Students have responded with record exam results and boosted aspirations which have seen more pupils than ever go on to further and higher education.
