Pupils marked the opening of a new school with an explosion of colour.

Priestmead School, in Hartford Avenue, Harrow, was opened by Mayor of Harrow, cllr Rekha Shah, on Monday, March 13.

The old red bricks and 1930s style building are gone and instead there will be an improved play area, larger classrooms and a community hall.

Over a period of 13 months, Harrow Council worked with the Education Funding Agency, KIER and contractors to complete the project. 

With 210 new school places created, the school aims to take almost 900 pupils by 2020.

Teachers and pupils celebrated the refurbishment of the new school building, which has been around for 80 years, with paints traditionally used in Holi festivities.

Headteacher of Priestmead School Sash Hamidi said: “We are so excited to be in a brand new building, enabling us to give our Priestmead children the very best facilities, grounds and education to enable them to be our future “world-changers”. 

“We are very grateful to Harrow Council, the EFA, KIER and all contractors for creating our stunning new school, and our local residents and parents for their support. Our children absolutely love it.”