PUPILS in purple uniforms have celebrated the first day of a new school.

Colchester’s Queen Boudica School welcomed its first 80 pupils yesterday.

Despite its 21st century look, headteacher Craig Duncan said the school would uphold traditions and have a family feel.

Mr Duncan, who welcomed children with an assembly, said: “I wanted to start as we mean to go on, so I began by telling them what I expected of them, how they should address me and the other teachers, that sort of thing.

“It is very exciting to have got to this point where we are finally opening the school.

“It really has been a massive team effort. The staff, the builders Willmott Dixon, everyone has worked so hard. It really is a very special day.”

Four classes – named Ash, Birch, Oak and Willow – are up and running, with two more to follow next September.

Four-year-old Bella Debattista summed up the new school, saying she liked it because “it’s sparkly”.

Nadia Allston, who has just moved to Colchester and will be completing her primary education there, said: “It’s new and really nice. The best thing is having laptops in the IT room.”

Twins Esther and Connor Sweetman said they were delighted with the school. Connor added: “I like the library.”

The school itself is different from the norm, with each classroom having a glass wall and ensuite toilets.

It is also environmentally friendly, with a biomass boiler, solar roof panels and facilities for recycling rain water.

Concrete has been used in the roof, which will help to regulate the temperature inside.

Deputy head Claire Naish said: “I feel really privileged to have an opportunity to open a new school. The children appear to have settled in straight away.”