ANALYSING plant cells, testing reaction times and aeronautical engineering exercises - it was all in a day's work for a top education minister at one Southampton school yesterday.

David Miliband MP came to see for himself one of the city's biggest school success stories at Woodlands Community College which celebrated the official opening of its new £11.4m building.

The highlight was the official opening ceremony which also marked the school's achievement in gaining dual specialist status in science and engineering.

"The real tribute is not the building, but what can be achieved in it for the pupils in Southampton," said the Minister of State for School Standards.

"It is a very exciting time. It is not just the building that has changed but the school culture is ambitious and positive.

"Talking to the staff and pupils I have seen real enthusiasm for the opportunities that are available."

The new complex includes a three-storey school building, a community pavilion, a conference room, a sports hall, full size synthetic pitch, dance studio and theatre.

The MP had a tour of the community pavilion where he talked to older students who act as maths mentors to younger pupils.

Next on his itinerary was a trip through the spacious corridors to the school library to chat to Year

10 students carrying out biology and engineering experiments.

Mr Miliband took up an invitation from Southampton Itchen MP John Denham to look at the school that was funded through a private finance initiative scheme using private money.

He said: "A new building does not guarantee a good school. The people inside are the most important thing and I can see real potential here. The teachers say they enjoy teaching more and the pupils are expecting much more."

He paid tribute to the teachers, governors, parents, pupils and council for their determination to turn the vision of a new school into a reality.

Head teacher of the 600-pupil school Richard Martin, whotook over five years ago, said he was delighted to welcome the MP to the school.

And he added that although the school's specialism is in science and engineering, no area of the curriculum would be neglected.

"We are a world away from what we were able to offer our Year 11 pupils who just left.

"Our expectations are as high for our pupils as anyone else and we now have the opportunities to make that promise good."