Three new schools in Swindon are officially opening their doors to pupils for the first time this week.

The Deanery Church of England Academy secondary in Wichelstowe opens today while William Morris Primary School in Tadpole Garden Village and Badbury Park Primary School at Badbury Park opens on Friday.

It is the first time that this many schools have opened simultaneously in Swindon.

Councillor Russell Holland, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for commercialisation, education and skills, said: “One of our key priorities is to ensure that the very best education provision is in place for young people in Swindon.

“I am grateful to everyone who has worked extremely hard to ensure that we have these great new schools opening in our area. This represents a great investment in the future of our town.”

Deanery Academy principal Linda Culling said: “Our vision is to transform the lives of our students and their families to enable them to live life in all its fullness.

"We have hope at the very centre of all things we do and aim to provide an exceptional education in fantastic facilities.”

The new schools will mean there are a total of 1,200 school spaces available for secondary school children and 1,260 school places available for primary school children in Swindon.

This is in contrast to the situation in other parts of the country. The Local Government Association recently reported that by 2024-25, 71 councils will face not being able to meet demand for 123,195 school places.

Over the past few years, Swindon Borough Council’s education team has managed to secure external investment of around £105m.

The Deanery CofE Academy is run by the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust.

William Morris Primary and Badbury Park Primary are run by The Blue Kite Academy Trust, which is also responsible for running Ferndale Primary and Nursery School, Ruskin Junior School and Abbey Meads Community Primary School.