DEPTFORD Green School unveiled its shiny new £32m building after moving out of a "crumbling" site which "leaked" when it rained.

The opening ceremony for the secondary school in Edward Street, New Cross, saw pupils perform with beat boxing, break-dancing and dramatic and musical solos last Tuesday.

The state-of-the-art building includes spacious classrooms, a conference hall which doubles as a modern cinema and exam hall, a radio station, and extensive sports facilities.

One quirky feature is two outdoor classrooms set on the school’s roof where students can take classes - such as art and drama - inspired by panoramic views.

It is a far cry from the previous building in Amersham Vale which will be knocked down and converted into flats.

Headteacher Peter Campling said: "Our old school leaked when it rained and computers had to be turned off. Classrooms were too small and often too hot or too cold.

"The building was crumbling, the toilets didn’t work properly and the corridors and stairwells were narrow noisy and poorly lit.

"This was not an environment that leant itself to inspiring a generation. "Our new school, however, can do exactly that."

The school received the multimillion pound cash injection as one of the last in the country to be funded under the previous government’s Building Schools for the Future programme.

Around 400 parents, students, staff and guests attended the ceremony and witnessed pupils displaying their talent.

Mr Campling said: "We were thrilled at the reaction to our school.

"The building was even described as ‘A shrine to space and light’ by one of the guests and that says it all really. We now at last have a wonderful 21st Century school."

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock, who was at the ceremony, said: "I am delighted the students, teachers and staff of Deptford Green School can now benefit from the fantastic state-of-the-art facilities that their new building provides.

"Lewisham has been working hard to provide some of the very best learning facilities to inspire and support our young people to achieve their potential.

"Deptford Green’s new school building is a great addition to the area which I hope will be enjoyed by many people in years to come.”

The school opened its doors to pupils on September 7 and kicked off its International Baccalaureate programme - becoming the first state school in Lewisham to run the internationally-recognised qualification for sixth-formers.

People can sneak a peek at the new building with a tour every weekday at 9.15 am until October 10 as well as Saturday [Oct 6] at 10.30 am and Tuesday [Oct 9] at 6pm.