THE Hoe Valley Free School opened its doors for its first wave of students on Friday; when youngsters took part in a series of team building activity workshops to help prepare them for their first day in secondary education.

The new school, temporarily based in Woking Park ahead of a proposed permanent move to Egley Road in two years time, opens on September 9, with 90 children joining Year 7.

Feedback from parents was described as ‘positive’, with student Luke Zone explaining: “I like the colourful classrooms, particularly the science lab. The playground will be great with table tennis and a basketball hoop.”

Youngster Isaac Beight-Welland added: “The new school feels clean with simplistic colours and everything feels so new and fresh.”

Meanwhile, Taia West was equally impressed: “I have made lots of new friends.”

Other students were particularly excited that the site will be a ‘Google’ school,  integrating ICT into all of the learning. The school will open next month with four forms of Year 7 students and 14 full-time members of staff.

Headteacher Penny Alford said: “I am delighted to be working with such engaged and supportive families from the local area. “The passion and enthusiasm of the parents, staff and students has been phenomenal.

“At our Year 5 open morning earlier in the week one of the students accused us of sneaking the learning into the fun, and it’s an accusation I am very happy to accept.”

Chair of Governors Lynne O’Reilly is excited that the school’s masterplan is finally becoming reality.

She added: “Seeing the staff and children working together has brought our vision for the school to life.

“The support of the local community has been tremendous, and we look forward to extending this opportunity to more local families when we move to our state of the art permanent building in two years time.”