AN unused patch of rough ground at St John’s School in Marlborough has been transformed into a brand new sports complex for pupils.

Staff, governors, John’s Foundation Trust, Excalibur Academies Trust, the Mayor of Marlborough and representatives from local sports organisations were among the guests at an opening ceremony.

Principal Ian Tucker said: “A key vision for this project has been about creating first impressions; for our visitors, and for those who learn or work at St John’s and Excalibur. It has been about making everyone feel they are in a place that gives them the very best life chances academically, but also recognises that sport, fitness and wellbeing are equally important.

The levels of support and the collective community effort put into this project have today enabled us to achieve that vision, and it is now our responsibility to ensure that this first impression remains a reality, particularly for the young people we are here to serve.”

The facilities include a second four-court sports hall, two additional external multi-use courts, changing rooms and landscaped areas for student recreation.

They will be fully opened to students after the half-term break and will add a significant new dimension to the school’s PE and Sports provision, as well as providing additional sheltered recreational areas for students.

St John’s Marlborough was originally based in two separate locations a mile apart. The Savernake site was the base for students in Years 7-9

The new school, opened in December 2009, brought all students together on a single site. The area now developed at the front of the school was originally intended to be used for an all-weather pitch, but insufficient funds were available to bring the Phase 2 plan to fruition at the time, and more recently planning restrictions made it impossible to re-instate the scheme.