A TOP athlete and diplomat took time out of their fast-paced careers to officially open their former school’s £1.2million sixth form centre on Thursday.

Following more than 10 years of fundraising and planning, Bury Grammar School’s joint centre was opened by successful ex-students Ciaran McCaughey and Heather Sellars.

Ciaran, aged 25, is currently working in London’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Heather, aged 23, is now a world class triathlete competing for Great Britain.

Mr Richard Marshall, headteacher of Bury Grammar School Boys, said: “The amazing facility is preparing the students for their next stage (university) now they are able to mix in a more natural environment.

“The girls would sometimes come over to the boy’s school but now they can all use this new centre and enjoy its space.

“Ciaran exemplifies what it is to be a Bury Grammar student; he worked at a primary school in Heathrow, as part of the Teach First scheme, for two years and after leaving there actually became a governor, which he still is now.

“Community is at the heart of this school.”

Teach First is a social enterprise registered as a charity that aims to address educational disadvantage in England and Wales.

Ciaran, who is the chief of staff to the director of communication at the office in Whitehall, spoke about his achievements since leaving the school in 2008 - including reading history and politics at The University of Warwick and teaching at a challenging London primary school for two years.

While Heather was still at school, she trained and swam the English Channel raising £20,000, for the school’s sixth form centre, making her the youngest major donor.

The pair were invited to open the centre by both Mr Marshall and headteacher of Bury Grammar School Girls, Bobby Georghiou.

Mrs Georghiou recalled before the audience at the opening ceremony: “One of the very special moments in my BGSG career was when Heather walked into my room, sat down and said to me, I want to swim the English Channel.

“I asked her why? And she told me because it’s an amazing challenge and I have three reasons, my granddad, my World Challenge Expedition and school.”

Heather said: “It was only when I decided to swim the English Channel that I realised just how strong our school community was.

“I immediately had everybody’s support, I expected it from my family but it came from everyone in the school family. I think that’s what is special about this school.”

The new centre, which was designed by the school’s project director Peter Skinner, includes a games room, head of sixth form boys and girls’ offices, canteen, study room and common room.

Pupils from both the boys and girls school are now able to socialise in the joint building which also connects with the main school’s library.

* Last Thursday also provided good cheer for Heather when she learned that she had qualified for the Baku European Games in June - an international tournament where she will represent Great Britain.