A DEWSBURY college has officially unveiled its new £8m image.
Thornhill High School in Valley Drive became the Community Science College at Thornhill on September 1 after being awarded specialist science status.
The change was officially recognised at a special open day yesterday afternoon.
"It's basically like a brand new school," said the college's publicity officer Mark Naylor.
"The whole of the school has been refurbished. We have got a newly-built modern foreign languages department, a newly built technology department, brand new creative arts studio and music room. We also have some new science labs."
Work will shortly to begin on a `global laboratory'. With its state-of-the-art computer networking facilities, students will be able to take part in video conferencing, communicate with other children around the world and participate in virtual reality programmes.
When all the work, including the global laboratory, is finished next March, the college will also have a new library and humanities block.
"We wanted to develop our strengths," said Mr Naylor. "There isn't anywhere else in the area that specialises in science and maths."
The opening ceremony was conducted by prefects and the head boy and girl Michael Goodwin and Samira Mitha. Present was the local vicar the Rev Lindsay Dew.
Construction company Jarvis, which has been carrying out the two-year building project, gave £25,000 towards the bid for specialist status.
"We were very pleased to help the school continue its success by achieving this status," said a Jarvis spokes- woman.
