PUPILS have marked the start of a new era by opening their school gates to the community.

Greendown Community School was the last secondary in Swindon to be granted a specialism earlier this year.

But the Grange Park school did it in style by securing the double title of maths and computing, and sports.

As the town's first sports specialist, Greendown hopes it will attract some of the country's future sports stars, who will benefit from new facilities.

The school had hoped it would be able to celebrate the achievement and launch its status at an open event on Friday, July 19, but was forced to cancel due to the flooding that hit Swindon that day.

But spirits at the school were not dampened, and pupils, staff and governors took full advantage of yesterday's considerably drier conditions to mark the occasion.

During the afternoon, people had their faces painted, performers entertained visitors with live music and a five-a-side football tournament took place.

Headteacher Clive Zimmerman said: "The launch is both a celebration and a thank-you.

"We're celebrating the fact that we've been awarded the rare honour of dual specialist status as a consequence of the rapid improvements Greendown has made over recent years.

"It's also a big thank-you because so many pupils, teachers and community members have worked so hard to get us to this position.

"Although the event will hopefully raise awareness of the work we will now be doing with our pupils, local schools and community organisations, the main emphasis was on having fun - a reward for all the hard work."