Leicester is showing the rest of the region how the schools of the future will look, as it throws open the doors of two, new state-of-the-art buildings this week.

Soar Valley College, and Judgemeadow Community College are the latest Leicester schools to be completely rebuilt as part of the government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

The £21 million Soar Valley College building includes open teaching areas lit by natural light, a theatre, recording studio, and new cricket pitch.

Teachers are able to take lessons in different learning environments, including the new ecology garden located by the brook running through the site.

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And members of the local community will also be able to use the school's new fitness suite, dance studio, and sports hall, as well as its new cricket facilities.

Facilities in the £16 million Judgemeadow Community College building include an external amphitheatre which can be used in the summer as a learning or social area.

The design provides flexible classrooms with partition walls, which can open up to provide bigger learning areas.

Glazing to most of the first floor makes the most of natural light, with sensors by the windows switching off internal lights when they are not needed.

Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, the government agency responsible for delivering the BSF programme, said: "Building Schools for the Future is all about giving young people every opportunity to flourish and reach their full potential through the provision of 21st century learning environments. I look forward to following the progress of the students and staff at Leicester’s latest BSF schools as they settle into their new surroundings."

(CD/JM)