ST HELENS' newest school, the £2.3 million Eccleston and Windle Bleak Hill Primary, opened its doors to its 500-plus pupils yesterday (Wednesday, June 13).

The high-tech school was one of the first in the country to be built by a local authority working in partnership with the private sector. Designed by St Helens Council, the school has been built by Willmott Dixon Construction in association with Drake and Scull Engineering Limited.

By moving away from compulsory competitive tendering and lowest price, the council has adopted the new method of building with the emphasis on co-operation, teamwork and shared cost savings with its partners.

Demolition of the old primary school was due to begin this week and the site will be used to accommodate a playing field, football pitch and car park. That work is expected to be completed by the start of the academic year in September.

The school's chairman of governors, Councillor Geoff Almond, who is also the council's Executive Member for Communications, said: "We are enormously proud of our school and are delighted to be involved in such an innovating new build scheme. We have designed and built a new school which incorporates existing best practice and has an eye for the future. This has been achieved through active involvement of the whole school community and the partnership process".