ART at a Blackpool school was given a boost this week as pupils and teachers moved in to a hi-tech new building.

The final phase of a new arts block at St George's Church of England high school was officially handed over last Thursday by developers, Parkinson's, to the schools' chairman of governors, Deacon Ann Wren, headteacher, Elizabeth Warner and Blackpool's director of education, David Lund.

The new building is in the same style as the first phase, handed over in November with wide light corridors and a real 21st century feel. The new drama studio runs across the entire width of the building. One end of the studio has floor to ceiling mirrors and a sprung floor to enable use by the school's dance specialist.

Both subjects were highlighted as strengths in the recent Ofsted inspection, with standards above national norms.

Two arts studios have been provided to rehouse the arts department. Current provision is no longer adequate to meet the needs of the expanding school and the new areas will allow the use of information technology to support project development at GCSE and 3D work in Art.

The building is completed with a Graphics Room and two classrooms which have all the hallmarks of the new approach to education with technological support and space to undertake a wide range of activities.

The builders have linked the old and the new buildings with a series of corridors which will enable students to access all areas of the expanded school without going outside.

The school roll is set to rise again in September as 120 students leave and 190 come in. And that's not the end of the building work. A new sports hall is due for completion in October, and refurbishment of the existing buildings is ongoing.