From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, July 20, 2007

A MAJOR state of the art classroom development has been given the go ahead at Dartmouth.

The new multi-media learning space will be the first fruit of the pioneering federation between Dartmouth Community College and Dartmouth Primary School and Nursery.

The £625,000 development is being jointly funded by Devon County Council and the Government.

It will be the start of an upgrading of the Dartmouth Learning Campus facilities and provide a shared flexible learning space to raise standards and achievement.

With the £750,000 Children's Centre which is being developed on the campus and the college's new studio, it will mean a total investment of around £1.5 million.

The Government this week gave the go ahead to a £500,000 joint bid by the two schools and the county council for the new classroom development. Devon will fund the rest of the cost.

It will provide a focus for the federation and physically bring together the two schools which provide education for children and young people from three to 19.

The college's acting principal Julie Stuchbery-Ullah and primary head-teacher Rik Meek said: "We are delighted that one of our first examples of working together officially as a federation has been such a major success.

"Work will start this summer on the college's new studio and it will be followed by the development of this new learning space.

"It will be a physical manifestation of the two schools' new partnership.

"The new building will incorporate multi media systems and be capable of being divided into two separate teaching areas.

"It will be primarily designed to assist in the raising of standards in maths and English through innovative and creative learning and teaching.

"We intend to have a joint timetable for the new learning area and, where appropriate, it will be used by mixed groups of pupils and staff from both schools."

Other planned uses include:

• Large facility for school activities

• Collaborative multi media projects

• Lecture opportunities including external speakers

• Community exhibitions and use

• Extended services including multi agency usage

• Hub for local learning community activities

• Family learning and adult educational activities and opportunities

• ICT curriculum based activities using the embedded IT infrastructure

The new Dartmouth Children's Centre is being developed on the campus. It will provide co-ordinated services for children and families from Dartmouth and the surrounding area. Ultimately it will mean the campus will provide education and services for children from 0 to 19 years.

Local county councillor Jonathan Hawkins said:" This is an exciting time for Dartmouth and its neighbouring parishes.

"This facility and the Childrens Centre are an excellent foundation to the improved campus we all want. It will be particularly important for the students as it will give them a state of the art centre helping raise standards further for all."

NOTE TO NEWS EDS: For more information and to arrange interviews, Rik Meek is available on 01803 833521 and Julie Stuchbery-Ullah is available on 01803 834921.