Bristol Metropolitan College opened its doors for the first full day today with staff and students in the brand new building.

The new school, which replaces Whitefield Fishponds Community School, has been completed on time and in budget, following a 20-month building programme. The rebuild is part of the Building Schools for the Future programme.

By 2013, Bristol will be the first council in the country to rebuild, or significantly refurbish, all its secondary schools.

This is the second new secondary school in Bristol to be completed by the Local Education Partnership, formed by the City Council, Partnerships for Schools and Skanska, who are responsible for its design, construction and operation.

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Bristol Brunel Academy opened last September, and two more schools are due to open next school year - Brislington Enterprise College and the Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe.

Built to high environmental standards, the building has a biomass heating system that burns wood chips to generate heat and provide hot water. It uses natural ventilation, with windows drawing in fresh air, which then rises through the building and leaves through large cowls on the roof. The school's design also makes maximum use of natural lighting throughout.

Investing in the future

Head Teacher, Theresa Thorne, said: "Moving into our new building is of huge significance and importance to our school and community. We are excited and full of optimism about the future and what we can achieve as Bristol Metropolitan College."

(CD/NS)