FORMER Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson officially opened a new £8.5m school for children with special needs today (Friday, May 8).

The former wheelchair racer, who is now a member of the House of Lords, unveiled a plaque marking the opening of the new Durham Trinity School and Sports College, in Aykley Heads, Durham City.

The L-shaped purpose-built facility brings the school together on one site for the first time in its 20-year history, classes having previously been held across the Kirkham and Flambard campuses in Aykley Heads and Bek, in Hartside.

Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “It’s amazing to be here.

“Coming here this morning and seeing how bright and airy the place is and the smiles, not just on the faces of the children but the staff too, is incredible.

“It’s amazing to see a school which places such a massive emphasis on physical activity.

“I know good things like this don’t happen overnight and the opportunities it will give these young people are amazing.”

The new school, built under the Government’s £2.4bn Priority School Building Programme (PSBP), features specialist provision for young people aged two to 19, specialist classrooms, a swimming pool, performing arts facilities and more.

Construction work shortly before Christmas 2013 and classes began there last November, although some building on sports pitches on the old Flambard site is still ongoing.

Headteacher Julie Rutherford said: “It’s fabulous. It’s going to make a huge difference.

“We can take more children and the environment has had a very positive effect on our children, families and visitors.”

The opening day featured a fencing display, wheelchair dancing, rugby, a performance by the secondary school choir and guided tours, as well as the plaque ceremony in the new sports hall.

The new facilities can take up to 220 pupils. The school currently has around 190, who travel from across County Durham.

The PSBP was set up after the then-Education Secretary Michael Gove axed Labour’s £55bn Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme, including 79 projects in this region.

Trinity had been due to become part of a £60m new science campus at Framwellgate School Durham. Its PSBP funding was confirmed in May 2012.