A school has opened a £6m building, named after a former chairman of governors.

Saint George's Church of England School in Gravesend unveiled the new King Building, which was opened by Reverend Joe King.

It was built to meet the school's increased demand for places, and was dedicated to the Reverend for his "remarkable service to the school" for more than 30 years.

The new block was in development for 18 months and now houses a range of subjects including music, drama, English, maths, modern foreign languages, and media.

It will also be the home for the school's new sixth form centre, and includes four additional music practice rooms and a recording studio.

Also included are a fully-equipped dance studio and a large open-plan sixth form area with a café, study areas, presentation zones and computer facilities.

The block is just one part of the school's development programme, following the introduction of a specialist science building, a new primary school, and a floodlit multi-use games area.

Colchester-based consultancy company Ingleton Wood helped the school secure funding from Kent County Council, and a Condition Improvement Fund from the Department of Education.

Andrew Marchant, senior associate at Ingleton Wood, said: "By collaborating with project partners and stakeholders and utilising our extensive experience in the education sector, our team has created a fantastic new building that will provide first class learning facilities for generations of students to come.”

Steve Carey, executive head teacher at Saint George’s All-Through School, said: “This project has taken several years to bring to reality, all through some of the most challenging times imaginable.

"My thanks to the school governors, trustees at Aletheia, officers at KCC and the ESFA, Ingleton Wood and of course to staff and students for enduring the disruption yet still achieving record results.

"The pleasure on the students' faces when they entered the new building and indeed the value they have gained from the new learning spaces have made it all worthwhile.”