HUNDREDS of pupils will step into new and revamped schools following an £18m investment in Swindon.

Two new £6m primary schools — Shaw Ridge and Millbrook — will open their doors to children in West Swindon this week.

Three other primary schools — Westrop, Westlea and Liden — have received makeovers.

Councillor Garry Perkins, Swindon Council cabinet member for children services, said about £300m had been spent on schools in the town over the past six years.

He said: “This is part of a huge transformation of schools in Swindon.

“I challenge any other local authority in the country to spend that much on schools. Swindon is catching up very fast. Our students deserve the very best possible environment to learn in, as do the teaching staff.”

The £6m Shaw Ridge Primary School, in Ridge Green, Shaw, will cater for 420 children and is shaped like a horseshoe.

All hot water will be heated by solar power at the 14-classroom school. Every classroom also has its own playground and garden.

Millbrook Primary School, in Worsley Road, Freshbrook, now has its own amphitheatre for classrooms outside.

A rain harvesting system will flush the toilets at the 12-classroom school.

The school was built to accommodate children from the amalgamation of Freshbrook Primary School and Windmill Hill School.

A playroom, kitchen, lobby and toilets have been built at Liden Pre-School in Liden Drive.

Westlea Primary School, in Langstone Way, has four new classrooms while teachers have received a new staff room after a £1m investment.

Mobile classrooms have been replaced with a £1.5m extension at Westrop Primary School, Highworth.

Next week will also see 400 English and maths pupils at Ridgeway school, in Wroughton, taking lessons in a new £3.5m teaching block instead of mobile classrooms.

Coun Perkins said the council had done a lot of work since it faced a £67m repair bill for schools in 2001.

He said: “There were schools with water coming in through the ceiling. We have taken this challenge on and I think we are doing well.

“The support of the officers has been phenomenal to turn the dreams into buildings. It is a really huge achievement for a small borough – if Swindon can do it, other areas can.”