PUPILS at a £4.6m school were delighted to test it out for the first time as they began the school year.

Churchfield Primary School in Highbridge opened its doors to 420 pupils after a year of construction.

There is still work to be done and the official opening is scheduled for spring 2013 but in the meantime, the pupils will enjoy 14 new classrooms outside areas and a hall, which accommodates the whole school.

Head teacher Wendy Nelder said: “Watching the children come to school this morning was an absolute pleasure; the air was full of excitement!

“We are all thrilled to be in such a fantastic building with wonderful facilities and feel very privileged to be the first occupants of this state-of-the-art building and know it will greatly benefit the children and community.

“When asked, the children said the building was awesome and cool. We all wish to say a huge thank you to Somerset County Council and the building company, VINCI, for providing us with such a lovely school.”

The school grounds will also soon be transformed into an outdoor space for the children to play and learn.