IT WAS their first day at school and it was also the new school’s first full day too.

Hundreds of excited Year 7 students were the first inside as the ribbon was cut on their new multi-million pound school.

The 360-strong intake at Bitterne Park School were given the privilege of being the first to enter the freshly constructed facility, following its £16m re-development.

Speaking about the opening, Susan Trigger, executive headteacher, said: “What an amazing day.

“It has been fantastic to welcome our new Year 7 into the fabulous Bitterne Park School.

“We look forward to all of the BPS community joining us next week for the next phase of our outward journey.”

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, the school has recently been rebuilt on the same site and has increased its size by 300 places.

The plans to increase Bitterne Park’s size from 1,500 students were approved by Southampton City Council back in 2015.

The building features a theatre, an assembly hall and drama studios.

More works will be carried out on site in the next six months, when the old building will be demolished and new sports fields and facilities will be created.

The school was expected to be fully open from Wednesday, September 13.

An official opening ceremony is expected to take place later this term.