Pupils arrive at new £7m school

The primary school in Rye has been in the pipeline since 2005

A new £7m school in East Sussex has opened its doors to pupils for the first time.

The state-of-the-art community primary school has replaced Tilling Green Infant School and The Freda Gardham Community School in Rye.

The school which is providing places for up to 330 pupils has been built on land between Thomas Peacocke Community College and the Love Lane allotments.

Head teacher Paul Reilly said it would give children the best possible start.

'21st Century resource'

He added: "After so much planning, discussion and building it is wonderful that we're able to open this fantastic new building to its first set of pupils.

"It's great to be in such modern and new facilities and will give us the best surroundings in which to provide the young people of Rye with the best possible start to their education."

Work on the new school began in July 2007 about two years after the local community took part in a public consultation on the plans.

The building has been funded by East Sussex County Council.

Councillor Keith Glazier said: "This is a bit of history for Rye and it really is an extremely exciting project.

"The town really has really needed this new school which will provide a much better learning environment. It's a state-of-the-art building, and together with the new Children's Centre, will be a superb 21st Century resource for the community."