An academy in Preston has opened its new IT and computer science building.

Named The Hex the £1.4million centre was opened by Dr Claire Burke at the Penwortham Priory Academy.

The world-leading astro-ecologist who was at Priory from 1998 to 2003 made her return to the school.

When Dr Burke was studying the Hex was the former ROSLA building which has since been demolished.

Dr Burke said: “It’s a privilege to be here, it’s 16 years since I came here and I loved my time at Priory and was grateful for the education and support I received here.”

“When I was at Priory I did history and RE in the ROSLA block and it was old then so it’s great to see the transformation at Priory over the years. It’s hardly recognisable from when I was here.

“The HEX block is an impressive facility for the students. I studied ICT and computing to A-Level standard and computers are everywhere nowadays. I have to write programmes myself or work with software engineers to solve problems and we know they are vital, whether you are interested in science, art or history.”

Dr Burke has gone on to win awards for work on using heat seeking drones to differentiate and track rare and endangered species of animals.

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Headteacher Matt Eastham said: “It was great to have Claire here, she has had a wonderful career and we are so proud she has opened our new building.

“The HEX block is a fantastic facility which has been completely transformed from the old ROSLA block. It’s an important facility for pupils at Priory and our partner primary schools to access and benefit from. It’s another step forward for Priory.”

The building has 32 computers in three classrooms.

It was built by E3 Cube and Nobel Construction.

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