PROUD pupils welcomed visitors to their new £6.3m school for its formal opening yesterday.

The Oaks School, in Spennymoor, which caters for about 220 children with special needs - was opened by Durham County Council chairman Ernie Foster.

The secondary school, along with Evergreen Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, which have been operating since September 2005, replaced four older schools.

The two schools brought together pupils with special needs from the former Warwick Road and Murphy Crescent schools, in Bishop Auckland, Whitworth School, in Spennymoor, and Rosebank, in Ferryhill.

Councillor Foster said: "The accommodation and facilities are of the highest quality and will undoubtedly be of significant educational benefit for many years to come. I am sure that pupils currently attending The Oaks School, as well as those who will in future years, will benefit tremendously from working in this excellent environment."

David Williams, Durham County Council's director of children and young people's services, said: "Staff, parents and pupils have all come together with enthusiasm, commitment and resolve to make The Oaks a worthy successor to the schools it replaces."

After the formalities, the student council and anti-bullying choir performed Hey, Bullies, Leave Those Kids Alone. They then showed guests around the school, which has a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room and soft play.

Some pupils, who were at first nervous about the move, told guests they could not be happier with their new surroundings.

Chantelle Short, 15, of Ferryhill, said: "When I heard Whitworth was closing I was worried, but now it seems boring compared to The Oaks - there is so much more to do here."

Xanthe Clish, 15, of Coundon, said: "The Oaks is bigger, brighter and newer than our old schools and easier to get around."

In January, education watchdog Ofsted said the school was "good and rapidly improving".