A �28m state-of-the-art residential training centre for school leaders is expected to attract 20,000 delegates this year.

The National College for School Leadership (NCSL) in Nottingham has been in temporary accommodation since its inception in November 2000, but on Monday the new centre opens its doors.

This is a landmark moment in educational leadership

Heather Du Quesnay, NCSL director and chief executive

The new building - based at Nottingham University's Jubilee campus - boasts 100 en-suite bedrooms with internet access, a 160 seat auditorium and video satellite hook-up and 160 seat lakeside restaurant.

The centre will employ approximately 180 people, including 80 staff for catering and accommodation.

Plans for a national centre to train today's school leaders and those of the future were announced by Prime Minister Tony Blair in October 1998.

'New-look' profession

The aim is to provide up-to-date training for head teachers and senior staff, as part of the government's campaign to make teaching a more modern and professional career.

Heather Du Quesnay: A landmark moment

Subject and departmental heads, year heads, local authority advisors and schools bursars will also be invited to attend courses.

And the NSCL offers special training for aspiring head teachers and deputies from ethnic minority groups.

The college has also taken over the running of three national programmes - the National Professional Qualification for Headship, the Leadership Programme for Serving Heads and the Leadership and Management Programme for New Headteachers - from the Department for Education.

'Support and inspiration'

On the opening of the new site, director and chief executive of the NCSL Heather Du Quesnay said: "This is a landmark moment in educational leadership."

"Leading and managing a school is a rewarding but at the same time challenging and complex business.

"This wonderful new learning and conference facility will enable us to offer valuable knowledge, support and inspiration to school leaders.

"In doing so we will go a long way to ensuring schools can deliver the high quality education our children deserve."

President of the Secondary Heads Association, Tony Neal, said: "The NCSL's new building is an important symbol."

"School leaders throughout the country will take heart from the recognition of their vital role in leading the prodigious advances of the past 15 years and the investment in ensuring that those advances can continue," he said.

The official opening of the new centre takes place on 24 October, with Education Secretary Estelle Morris expected to attend.