STUDENTS, staff and special guests celebrated the grand opening of Jewell Academy’s brand new multi-million-pound building.

On Friday, the mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr Chris Mayne, cut the ribbon during the school’s official opening ceremony, which included performances from its 120 pupils.

Located at the former site of Townsend School, Jewell Academy, which is sponsored by the Aspirations Academies Trust, opened last September after some of the former school’s buildings were completely renovated.

Following a £4.3million building project the academy’s new 17-classroom building was completed over the summer and the combined primary school opened its doors to the class of 2014 earlier this month.

Claire Addis, principal at Jewell Academy, said: “It’s been the most exciting year that I have had as a teacher.

“To start a school from scratch is really special and we are really proud of the new building.

“It allows the children to put their mark on the school and enjoy being at a school which has been created for their needs.”

The school has been built to accommodate 480 pupils and will continue to take on an additional 40 students each year until it reaches its full capacity in 2018.

“Before, there was a real shortage of primary school places in the area,” Mrs Addis said.

“We have built the school to respond to that shortage.”

The mayor of Bournemouth said he was delighted to be invited to attend the opening ceremony.

He said: “I’m very pleased to be here.

“The school looks great and it was very much needed for the area.”