A NEW purpose-built £340,000 information and communication technology (ICT) centre was officially opened at West Somerset Community College, in Minehead, last Thursday.

College governor and managing director of the Singer Instruments Company Limited, Carl Saunders-Singer, was called on to perform the official opening ceremony in front of staff, students, governors and invited guests.

The completion of the building marks the end of the first phase of a £1.25 million project to boost facilities at the college through the Government's New Deals for Schools scheme.

Work is already well underway to build two new science laboratories and to refurbish and refit nine existing ones at the college, with the entire project due to be finished by February.

The new ICT centre boasts 60 computers, giving students and staff access to the internet as well as a host of computer programmes.

Before the opening ceremony, guests were invited to have a tour of the centre and were given the chance to take part in some hands-on exercises.

Students Nick Gover and Ben Coates demonstrated how to use a computer software programme to control the movements of a model crane, while Matthew Hockin, Bill Bennett and Chris Sully showed people how to get the most out of spreadsheet programmes.

Meanwhile, Sapphire Marchant designed and printed out a greeting card using a 'paint' programme, while other students designed posters, cards and banners.

Mr Saunders-Singer said: "The centre will equip West Somerset students with the tools for higher and further education and vocational training - for the digital world of the future and the fabulous opportunities it will bring to us all."

College principal Nick Swann thanked everyone involved in the scheme, including the Department of Education, Somerset County Council, West Somerset District Council and college staff.

He added: "I am delighted that the ICT centre is now open. It will promote the use of ICT as an important learning tool for all our students across the whole curriculum."

Pictured are, from left, Becky Clarke, Matthew Hockin, teacher Gillian Priddy and Sapphire Merchant.

Photo: James Guscott