THE END of the summer holidays couldn't keep smiles from the faces of hundreds of pupils who arrived at the new Bellsmyre Campus last week.

A piper opened the new campus that will host pupils from St Peter's Primary, Aitkenbar Primary and Bellsmyre Early Learning and Childcare centre.

Louise Kelly, headteacher of St Peter’s Primary, hailed the new premises as a “school we can all be proud of.”

She said: “We all feel privileged to teach our children in this fantastic new building.

“The new campus is bright, modern and purpose built for today’s learning, and will make a huge difference to our young people.

“The staff and pupils love their new school and it was great to see the excitement on the pupils’ faces when they arrived on Tuesday morning. The reaction from the entire community in Bellsmyre has been amazing. This is a school we can all be proud of.”

Aitkenbar Primary school headteacher Christine Hutchison echoed Ms. Kelly's delight.

She said: “We’re all excited by the opportunities our new school presents for our pupils.

“It’s great to have both schools and the early learning centre in one location. The pupils have been working and playing together over the two years and have all settled in really well to the new campus.

“The building and the grounds are beautiful. We all feel very lucky and are determined to make the most of the fantastic new space we have.”

A post on West Dunbartonshire Council's Facebook page last week sparked some debate if the school was fully ready to open. The council says all necessary certificates are in place, regulations have been met and all safety checks have been passed. Only a “completion certificate” remains to be granted once snagging works are complete, which a council spokesperson said is the standard approach for major projects.

The vast majority of parents posting online praised the new building.

Alyson Dufton said: “My son and daughter attended Aitkenbar today and I think the school looks amazing!”

Laura Hegarty said: “My kids had a great first day back, they love the new building. I'm sure there will be some teething problems settling them all in but I welcome the change as its all for the better in the long run.”

Claire Kirkpatrick said: “The school looks great and I'm sure with ant new build there is always snagging. I am sure it is safer that the outdated, dilapidated buildings that have been left behind. Onwards and upwards.”