A striking new multi-million pound school will accommodate its first pupils next week.

The new �6.5m Roebuck Primary and Nursery School in Stevenage will open on Monday when pupils return from their half-term holiday.

Built with wooden sections prefabricated in Austria, it was constructed in the current school grounds in just over a year. An original moving-in date at the start of the academic year in September had to be moved back after delays in the supply chain and bad weather.

The design of the building, which is curved, painted in shades of blue, and has portholes for windows, was partly influenced by pupils who supplied the architects with a list of all the things they wanted to have in the new school.

Headteacher Jenn Phelps said the new building will offer outstanding facilities to pupils for many years to come.

“The final design is very exciting. We know that we will have learning spaces that are safe, bright and spacious and are capable of being adapted to meet future needs as technology and teaching strategies change over time.

“We are delighted that our children will have a state-of-the-art building and cutting-edge facilities with learning at their heart.”

The building, which was funded by Herts County Council’s primary capital programme, will also be available to the wider community, with purpose-built facilities for pre-school children, a before and after school club, children’s centre, IT centre and sports facilities.

Pupils celebrated the completion of their new school and said goodbye to their old one by releasing hundreds of balloons in the blue and white school colours last week. The old school will be demolished and re-landscaped by Christmas.