A SIXTH-FORM and youth centre has opened, as the £32m transformation of a school gathers pace.

The £300,000 centre gives teenagers space to study and enjoy student life as they work towards exams.

Richmond School is undergoing a major rebuild, which is expected to be completed next year.

Until recently, sixth-formers had been housed in a listed building that is about to undergo restoration.

A temporary home has been provided in a refurbished youth centre, which now boasts a cafe, study area and offices.

Once the permanent sixth-form centre is completed next year, students will move into that and the stopgap facility will revert to being a full-time youth centre.

Headteacher Phil Beever said: "We wanted to provide the sixth-formers with something really good while the project goes ahead.

"This temporary sixth-form centre gives them an internet cafe, computers and somewhere to meet friends."

Keith Allen, head of sixth-form at the school, said: "It is important that they get a real taste of student life in a college atmosphere.

"The sixth-form should be an integral part of the school - and our students don't mind helping out with pupils - but they definitely need somewhere they can retreat to that is there own space."

An area has been provided where students can access the internet and listen to music on headphones.

Mr Allen said: "In the old days, you were expected to sit in the library and study in silence.

"There is evidence now that listening to music stimulates the brain and actually helps students learn."

Twenty-five per cent of students at Richmond School come from outside the town.

Michael Curnow, 16, and Dean Woodward, 17, travel to the school from Bedale. They are enjoying the new facilities.

Michael said: "It feels more grown up than school, as you have your own space."

Dean added: "It is something different from school. You can socialise more and meet new people which is a really important side of being a student.

"A lot of the students here have come up from the school together and know each other. But we have found the sixth-form to be really welcoming and we have quickly settled in."