The Secretary of State for International Development, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, will officially open the new building at Brentside High School, Ealing's Specialist Art College at Greenford Av, Hanwell, W7 1JJ.

 

The Secretary of State is a former Ealing councillor and chair of the Education Committee. He was also the deputy leader of the council and chair of governors at Brentside, one of four schools in the borough that have used the government's £33 million Private Finance Initiative grant.

 

Brentside's £22 million new modern building has specially-designed rooms for art and technology, science and IT, accommodates 1,260 pupils (an increase of 200) and has better disabled access. The old school building, meanwhile, has been demolished and the area has now been redeveloped for sports and recreational use, including a floodlit all weather pitch.

 

The Secretary of State said: �It is wonderful to come back to the school where I was chair of governors and to see the huge progress it is making. This new building will help ensure that the children of Brentside are given the best possible education in an environment which is inspiring."

 

At the official opening, which will also be attended by the Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Michael Elliott, the school choir and the drama group will be performing and the Secretary of State will officially unveil a plaque to commemorate the day.

July 11, 2005