A NEW £6 million West Swindon school was officially opened by an education minister yesterday.

MP Diana Johnson, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Children, Schools and Families, was impressed by the new Millbrook Primary School in Freshbrook.

The innovative facility in Worsley Road was built to accommodate children from the amalgamation of Freshbrook Primary School and Windmill Hill School due to falling intakes.

Just under 300 pupils gathered in the assembly hall with staff members to celebrate the big day.

Inspirational headteacher Clare Griffin-Felton helped cut a cake with Mrs Johnson and South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove.

“The school has unity and it’s a vital part of the community which is important,” said Mrs Johnson.

“I’m very impressed with its design and concept.”

One such concept sees rain water collected in a tank from water running off the playground and sports field. It’s then used to flush the school’s toilets.

Mrs Snelgrove said: “It’s inspiring to see a headteacher with such a clear vision for the school and for each individual child.

“The school is an amazing space and it has taken a lot of hard work to get to this.”

Mrs Griffin-Felton added: “It’s a school built to the highest quality and will last for future generations.

“I’m brimming with pride – it’s a magnificent building.

“The two old schools both had shades of blue as their colour scheme – we wanted something new and exciting to incorporated both schools so we chose purple.”

School pupil Umar, 11, from Freshbrook, said: “It’s quite spacious and we can move things around.

“There is enough space to play games and sport on the field. We really like our new school.”

Councillor Garry Perkins, the Swindon Council cabinet member for children services, said £18m had been invested in West Swindon schools.

He said: “In total about £300m had been spent on schools in Swindon over the last six years.

“I think other councils across the country should follow our expertise.

“Our primary schools are now above the national average and that’s down to the investment in school buildings.”