THE first Swanage School pupils were due to move into their new building this morning, just 10 months after foundations were laid on the site.

More than 100 students started at the school’s temporary campus, at Swanage’s Harrow House language college in September, while building work continued on the High Street building.

Swanage School chair of governors Paul Angel said: “It’s been a long campaign to see a secondary school open in Swanage for the first time in 40 years, but the speed of the actual build has been astonishing.”

Contractor Kier delivered the school, which sits at the site of the town’s former middle school, on time despite contending with one of the worst winters since records began.

The school has a community open day on Saturday, May 17, from noon until 5pm, for anyone interested in taking a tour.