A NEW venture has been drawn up to ensure a fledgling ‘super school’ building in Burnley is at the heart of the community and self-funding.

Staff and governors at the under-construction Sir John Thursby Community College and Ridgewood Community High are set to launch ‘BBTen’, revolving around their new sports and leisure facilities.

Under the initiative, the new school buildings off Eastern Avenue, will not stand idle when the last lesson bell rings.

An all-weather pitch, sports hall, dance studio and classroom will be available for neighbourhood groups or clubs to take advantage of.

It is hoped that money generated by the move will make their running self-financing, and eventually pay for improved equipment.

The indoor provisions have been used by the schools since pupils moved there last September but the artificial sports ground has just been finished.

Because of the links with Ridgewood, all of the facilities have been adapted for people with a range of disabilities and difficulties.

BBTEN spokesman Joanne Sawley said: “The handover of the floodlit all-weather pitch is the icing on the cake.

“Alongside the sports hall, dance studio, and sports classroom, it means the community have all they need on their doorstep, at the same place as their own children keep fit and healthy as part of everyday school life.”

Each school has worked closely with Bovis Lend Lease, the company involved in constructing the school, formed from the merger of Walshaw and Barden high schools in 2006.

The opening ceremony will feature youngster Harry Curtis-Botting, who designed a new logo for the scheme.

Next month, on July 6 and 8, there will be open evenings on site to explain how the scheme will operate.

People interested in finding about more about the scheme can log on to www.BBten.co.uk or enquiries@bbten.co.uk