FROM Changing Rooms to changing lives - the hard work of John Bentley School pupils paid off last week, when the new, eagerly-awaited Supported Learning Centre opened its doors.

Provided by a joint partnership between the Calne school and Connexions, the Wiltshire and Swindon youth advice service, the new centre has been planned, designed and decorated by some of the students who will be using it and they were given the honour of officially opening it.

Teacher Jon Hamp said: "The main purpose of the Supported Learning Centre is to provide a learning environment for students on a flexible curriculum. This includes pupils who are finding it difficult to cope with mainstream education, those following a reduced timetable, and pupils in extended work experience."