A MULTI-MILLION pound refurbishment at a high school was officially opened with a formal ribbon cutting. 

The transformation at Ulverston Victoria High School cost £4.1m and on Friday a group of councillors, staff and contributors got a good look around. 

They were welcomed by headteacher Denis Fay, who gave a speech before the opening. 

He said: "This is a significant day for Ulverston Victoria High School, to see us where we are from where we were is a very moving and humble experience.

"It's a fantastic honour to be headteacher of this school. 

"For years the school suffered from poor buildings and a poor site, when I arrived here there was even broken glass in some of the windows.

"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all the support we have had."

Assistant headteacher, Roger Cahalin, managed the project for the school. 

He said: "We have a fantastic new sixth form common room, downstairs we have a new special education needs department, new IT facilities, great new science facilities, three modern maths rooms, three art rooms which have been refurbished, a new engagement centre and now indoor toilets for the students. 

"We have gone to great lengths to make sure out students are safe."

After the speeches the group was taken down to The Cloister, a glass fronted space which leads to the dining hall and overlooks the sports fields and new terraced area. 

Before the official opening a prayer was read by Reverend John Griffiths, who used to be deputy headteacher at UVHS.

He said: "This is a dream that became a vision and a vision that became a reality. 

"This is a fantastic school and now it's got facilities that match its true potential." 

The ribbon cutting was done by Melvyn Worth, chairman of Cumbria County Council, which contributed £3m to the project.

He was assisted by four of the youngest Year Seven students. 

He said: "I want to thank the school for inviting me to cut the ribbon, it's a great building. I worked here 25 years ago on the old school and this is fantastically different to how I remember it. 

"I am pleased that the council was able to financially assist this project, it really is a pleasure to be here."