A school held an official launch event yesterday (Wednesday) following a £28million redevelopment.

The regeneration of The Nobel School in Stevenage has seen existing buildings remodelled, a substantial new build, and an emphasis on open plan teaching spaces.

Nobel - along with Marriotts and Lonsdale schools in Stevenage - was granted investment through the Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme.

A further six Stevenage secondary schools - Barnwell, Greenside, John Henry Newman, Stevenage Education Support Centre, Barclay and Valley - had regeneration plans stopped when Education Secretary Michael Gove axed the programme in 2010.

The redevelopment of Nobel includes four Apple Mac computer suites, a full-size basketball court and astro turf pitch, four tennis courts, two drama studios and a dance studio.

The school is also now home to Stevenage Music Centre, which was previously based at Valley School. The facilities include practice rooms, a music therapy suite and an auditorium.

The official opening yesterday, which was attended by Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland, included the unveiling of a plaque following a tour of the school and a performance by members of the Stevenage Music Centre.

Martyn Henson took over from Cathy Tooze as headteacher at the Mobbsbury Way school this month. He said: “We owe a great debt of gratitude to all the people who contributed in the development of our new school buildings.

“It marks the beginning of the next chapter for this wonderful school.

“Already we have seen how the new facilities have developed the potential for teaching and learning.

“We are excited, privileged and grateful to be given the opportunity to learn in such a tremendous environment.”

Hertfordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for enterprise, education and skills, Chris Hayward, said: “The building works at Nobel have been quite extensive over the last two years and it’s always pleasing to witness the progress and see the impact of the finished product.

“One of our aims in education is to ensure our schools have the infrastructure and environment which enables children and young people to excel in their studies through all stages of their school life. Nobel’s new look will certainly help, and it is evident that the new facilities are already benefiting the students and teachers alike.”