A MINISTER left a Blandford school ‘very impressed’ with its transformation into a bright and modern building.

Tim Loughton, the under secretary of state for children, visited the refurbished Downlands School at Blandford Camp.

Almost all the children are from military families at the base, but it is a council school that takes any children from the catchment area.

Just over half of the 1950s school was knocked down in a £3.5million scheme, said governor and Garrison staff officer Bob Brannigan.

He said: “Mr Loughton was brilliant, he spent a lot of time with the children and he was very impressed with the school because it was so bright and conducive to learning.”

The work was finished last year by architects Rhiannon North and builders Morgan Sindall.

The new building has an energy efficient grass roof and comprises a new Key Stage 2 wing, a library, group rooms, a music and drama room, and an ICT area.

The school’s pond was also moved into a new wildlife area, using a £9,000 lottery grant and £2,000 from school funds and donations.

The visiting dignitaries included Dorset County Council leader Angus Campbell and the mayor of Blandford Esme Butler.