AN ARTIFICIAL pitch costing £150,000 has been officially opened at Christopher Whitehead Language College as part of a host of improvements at the Worcester school.

The facility was opened yesterday with a friendly five-a-side football match, between pupil, teachers and guests, including Mike Foster MP and Worcester News deputy editor John Wilson.

"This is a great asset to the school," said headteacher Neil Morris, who was on the adult team. "There have been many improvements and a lot of investment in the school over the past year."

The plastic pitch was part of a package of improvements at the St John's school, being paid for through a scheme funded between Sainsbury's, Worcestershire County Council and Worcester City Council.

It also includes the building of the new sports centre in St John's, with a flood-lit multi-use pitch, which will be for the school's and community use and is due to open in August, and the expansion of the school's car park off Malvern Road.

Other improvements at the school recently have included a complete refurbishment of all the English and maths classrooms, nine science laboratories, the creation of a conference room, used by the school council among others, and the refurbishment of two toilet blocks.

These have been funded by a £3 million investment from Worcestershire County Council.

"The improvements are having a huge impact on the school," said Terry Birt, property facilities manager at the school. "There is an awful lot going on and still more to do in the future."

The new artificial pitch, at the Bromwich Road entrance to the school, will allow the teaching of football and hockey, among other sports.

Mr Morris said: "These investments are making a huge difference to the school, but we need to get on and get everything completed."

The planned package of improvements are all expected to be completed by August 2009.