Headteacher Martin Williams is delighted with the new £1.3m high-tech classroom block at Corsham Secondary School.

The new building includes 16 classrooms for maths and English lessons, two drama studios, new changing rooms, toilets and a large school hall.

Mr Williams said: "They are the facilities which the children and staff deserve and they are lovely."

Building work began in February and finished on schedule, in time for the new autumn term.

The new classrooms mean that the school can accommodate its ever-increasing number of pupils.

When Mr Williams became headteacher in 1999 the school had 950 pupils, but a growing reputation and new housing developments in the area saw pupil numbers rise to 1,250 this September.

"In two years' time we will have 1,400 pupils and the new facilities will mean we have enough space to cater for them," said Mr Williams.

But expansion plans are not complete yet. The school is looking at a second phase of developments to create new science laboratories, ICT suite, music rooms, a larger library and a larger sixth form centre.

Meanwhile, staff and pupils are enjoying their new surroundings.

"The building is brilliant," said Mr Williams. "It is very modern and a green building with sophisticated technology."

A series of sensors have been incorporated into the building to regulate its temperature and conserve energy.