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Video: New schools have the wow factor on big day
Together, the Voyager School and Thomas Deacon Academy have cost £76 million, but today, a new era for education in Peterborough, and for almost 4,000 pupils who will attend the new secondary schools, began.
Together, the Voyager School and Thomas Deacon Academy have cost 76 million, but today, a new era for education in Peterborough, and for almost 4,000 pupils who will attend the new secondary schools, began.Academy pupils impressed
THIS morning heralded a new start for hundreds of children in Peterborough as the 51 million Thomas Deacon Academy opened its doors.
Most of the pupils arrived early for the 9am start, with head Alan McMurdo welcoming the Year 11 pupils at the gates.
Read more: The dawn of a new age in education in Peterborough.
Read interviews:
Alan McMurdo, head teacher of The Thomas Deacon Academy.
Hugh Howe, head teacher of The Voyager School.
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However, it was a low key opening, as about 500 of the 2,200 expected pupils were ushered towards their classes by the waiting teachers.
Mr McMurdo said: "We are opening for Year 11s and Year 13s today, as they are in the final year of exams.
"We are all very excited to get going, as it has been a long time coming. This is what the building was built for, so we are very pleased to see everyone here at last."
The other pupils starting at the school will arrive throughout the week, with Years 7 and 8 starting tomorrow, Year 9 on Wednesday and Year 10 on Thursday.
Mr McMurdo added: "The pupils had a look round last week, and they were very enthusiastic about what they saw. Even the most cynical youngsters were impressed.
"The staff have been working hard to get the place looking fantastic, and they are all eager to start."
Peter Wade (15), who is moving from Deacon's School to the academy, said: "I am keen to get going now. I saw the school growing from Deacon's and it should be really good. It looks a bit grey, but I am sure it will be OK."
And Chris Porter (15), who was also at Deacon's School, added: "It is all a little chaotic at the moment, but when we were on the tour last week it looked really revolutionary."
The new school has been hit by controversy since building started, including running over budget, announcing there would be no playground for pupils and arguments over the cost of new school uniforms.THERE was nervous anticipation today at the opening of the city's 26 million Voyager School.
From 8am, Year 7 pupils started to arrive at the school in Mountsteven Avenue, Walton, which has been built to replace secondary schools in Bretton and Walton.
Wearing anxious smiles and oversized blazers, 270 Year 7 pupils were ushered to a theatre hall before meeting their new peers.
Headteacher Hugh Howe said: "It is amazing to see the children come into the school and the first word they seem to say is 'wow'. We never planned for the wow factor, but it is great to have it."
As children stepped over the threshold, a pianist tickled the ivories and a plasma TV relayed the latest news.
Megan Copeland (11) said: "It is fantastic. I have heard about the drama workshops and chill out zones, and want to go the library today."
Emma Ewers (11) said: "It's just so brilliant, bright and big."
Levi Wright (11) added: "We've heard all about it and it's great to be see it. I'm pretty nervous though."
Meanwhile, it was also an anxious day for parents who were leaving their children at secondary school for the first time.
Dad Chris Stubley, from Walton, said: "I think we are more nervous than our son Dominic. He's taken it all in his stride.
"It's totally different from when I was at school, and my wife and I were saying we wouldn't mind starting school today."
As children arrived, diggers were pulling down former buildings at Walton Community School only 100 metres away. The land will eventually be turned into playing fields for the Voyager.
At 10.45am today, Year 12 pupils were welcomed to the school and, because of the staggered start, the Voyager will not be full to its 1,675-pupil capacity until Wednesday.
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