A new multimillion-pound York secondary school will be officially opened this week.

The new £29 million Joseph Rowntree School building in New Earswick opened to pupils earlier this year, but this week two opening ceremonies will be held – at 7pm tonight and tomorrow – to mark the occasion.

Coun Carol Runciman, City of York Council’s executive member for children and young people’s services, will be on hand to do the honours and will be joined by staff and students from the school and representatives from City of York Council who will all be giving speeches about the impact of the new building on the school and the local community.

The new building’s designers will also be sharing their views on the project now that it is complete. The school opened earlier in the year and the new facilities have already proven to be a big hit with staff and students.

The scheme has also won national recognition, winning the Most Versatile Learning Environment award at the Excellence In Building Schools For The Future awards. The school was also a finalist, alongside City of York Council and construction partner Carillion, in the Innovation In Student Engagement category.

Coun Runciman said: “As a governor of the school and councillor for the ward, I have taken a keen interest in the development of the new school.

“Having been part of the initial consultations and present at the cutting of the first turf on the site, it has been wonderful to watch the building growing month by month.

“I have visited the new school a number of times and the students and teachers certainly seem to be taking full advantage of the new facilities.

“I look forward to taking part in the official opening ceremonies and helping to celebrate the hard work of everyone involved in creating this fantastic new learning environment.”