The royal visit began with a tour of Retford Oaks High School where the Duke met school staff, Notts County Council chairman the Hon. Joan Taylor and PFI partners.

After a musical interlude from the school's concert band and official plaque unveiling ceremony, the royal visitor moved on to neighbouring St Giles Special School to meet staff and pupils and see the hydrotherapy pool and sensory rooms.

The Retford stop-off was part of a wider tour, which also saw Coun Taylor lead the official opening of Worksop's Portland and Valley schools along with the Post-16 and leisure centre.

The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project, led by Notts County Council and TransformSchools, saw pupils at Portland and Valley move into spacious new surroundings earlier this year.

PFI is a scheme through which private investors design and build major projects - without draining the public purse - and lease them to the public authority, typically for a period of 25-30 years.

In all, 7,000 young people across Worksop, Retford and Tuxford will benefit from new buildings, improvements and updated facilities at their schools.

Dignitaries had the opportunity to see learning take place at both Portland and Valley as well as see pupils show off their musical and singing abilities - all culminating in the official opening ceremony.

Portland head Paul Buck said he was immensely proud of his students for the warm welcome they gave to guests, adding that they took part in an important historical moment.

"I've no doubt they will remember this experience for the rest of their lives," he said.

"What was really special was that one of the senior PFI project workers was a former pupil which meant he was determined to support the vision and create the best for our school."

Valley head Brian Rossiter agreed the official opening had come at the end of an intense 10-year process from the initial vision to change the face of Bassetlaw schools.

"It was a delight to finally see it come together and great to stand in our car park and see all three facilities, including the Post-16 and leisure centre, officially open," he said.

"The pupils and staff did a fantastic job on the day and I also want to thank our partners at Bassetlaw Council, North Notts College and Portland School for their support."

Coun Joyce Bosnjak, county council cabinet member for children and young people, said the official opening at Retford Oaks had marked the celebration of a much wider achievement.

"I have seen exceptional talent among all pupils here at Retford this morning, and I know it will be the same in all schools during the day," she said.