JUNIOR education minister, Lord Andrew Adonis, performed the opening ceremony for a new building at Saffron Walden County High School. The David Boatman Centre, named after the school's former headteacher, features new classrooms, a teaching observatory,

JUNIOR education minister, Lord Andrew Adonis, performed the opening ceremony for a new building at Saffron Walden County High School.The David Boatman Centre, named after the school's former headteacher, features new classrooms, a teaching observatory, staff facilities and a large seminar and lecture hall which it is hoped will also provide a home for Saffron Walden's proposed cinema.David Boatman, who was headteacher at the school from 1986 to 2003, joined more than 80 guests to enjoy a buffet reception before the opening ceremony was performed. The building was named after him to recognise the huge contribution he made towards massively improving the school's results, seeing its pass rates rise from 27 per cent in 1987 to 83 per cent in 2003.Current headteacher at the school, John Hartley, said: "We are delighted that David Boatman's achievements at Saffron Walden County High School have been publicly recognised by naming our new building after him, and were very pleased to welcome Lord Adonis to the school."Lord Adonis unveiled a commemorative plaque to complete the opening ceremony for the new building.Following the opening, David Boatman presented sixth-formers with certificates at the Year 13 certificate evening. Lord Adonis applauded the outstanding set of A-level results students at the school had achieved in 2005.Mr Hartley said that he was confident the David Boatman Centre would be an excellent addition to the school's premises.He said: "Not only is it a very attractive building, but one that will provide a flexible learning environment ideally suited for the 21st century.