The Gateway School in Tiffield, which can teach more than 50 children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, won funding for a new state-of-the-art school from the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

It moved from its site in Raeburn Road in February.

The Duchess was joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, Lady Juliet Townsend, county High Sheriff Peter Ellwood and county councillor for children and young people, Joan Kirkbride, for a tour around the classrooms, sports hall, games area and dining room.

Councillor Kirkbride (Con, Bugbrooke) said: "I think it's a fabulous building and absolutely necessary. It shows the pupils how important they are to us in Northamptonshire, because we value all of our children in the county.

"We want them to have the very best and the Duchess coming is just a measure of what esteem we hold all our children in."

The Duchess saw a mural produced by the pupils, which links the old school with the new one.

Jane Bispham, an art and English teacher who has been at the school for 13 years, said: "She was very nice and very interested in what the children were doing.

"Some of the children have never been in a position where they are able to meet a royal before and one boy said it's the first time he didn't know what to say."

She added: "I've got a far larger art room and a new kiln; we've got new everything, really. It's far more pleasant to teach in because it's so much bigger."

Headteacher David Lloyd said the pioneering school was the first of its kind in Northamptonshire and would eventually teach 68 pupils, aged from 11 to 18.

The Duchess, who unveiled the commemorative plaque in the dining room, said: "It is indeed a real pleasure to be here and I have been completely intrigued by seeing this new school of yours and how you have been in dire need of a building of this kind.

"There is no doubt this school is going to be a flagship for this kind of school."

Sport to fore as £16.5m facility is officially opened
A visit from the Duchess of Gloucester marked the handover of a new building to Kingsthorpe College in Northampton.

The secondary school, which has had a £16.5 million investment in new facilities, completed its ownership of the building two weeks ago.

It now has a gym, sports halls and a food technology area.

Principal Judith Long said: "Standards are already starting to improve quite significantly at the college."

Joan Kirkbride, the Northamptonshire county councillor for children and young people, said the college showed the benefits of moving to a two-tiered educational system.

Jonathon Tunney, a sixth-form student at the college, escorted the county's Lord Lieutenant, Lady Juliet Townsend, around the new library, sports halls and classrooms with the Duchess and the Labour MP for Northampton North, Sally Keeble.

Jonathon, 17, said: "The transition has gone very well.

"We never had the sports facilities at the other site and it's really grown."

Dignitaries, students and staff gathered in the school hall for a performance from the school band and choir, KC Divas.

Then the Duchess of Gloucester unveiled the plaque for the official opening.

She told the audience: "I have enjoyed my short tour around and there's no doubt exams are coming up very soon.

"I did enjoy listening to the choir and I congratulate you on your new building. I wish you all the best for the future."

Visitor keen to get young helping hand
A royal visit lifted spirits at a Northampton day centre for vulnerable people.

As part of her county visit yesterday, the Duchess of Gloucester went to the Hope Centre, in Ash Street.

She talked to people who use the centre, was given a tour and viewed a display of paintings created by centre users.

Manager Richard Appleby said: "It went really well; it was very special for the centre. She was so comfortable to be around.

"It was great that she spoke to the people. She was supposed to be here for 30 minutes, but she stayed a lot longer."

Ambrose Doherty, 46, a centre user, said: "I think what she said was wonderful. I made a joke about women not being able to play snooker and she said they were good. I was quite impressed; she was fun."

The visit was organised the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, Lady Juliet Townsend.

She said: "She was particularly interested in getting young people in difficulties back into mainstream life, so the Hope Centre seemed a good place to come because they do so much work."