EVERYWHERE you looked the message was clear. This was the first day of the rest of Millbrook Community School's life.

A student brass quintet played jaunty tunes and the hum of antici-pation among staff and pupils was tangible as the invited guests poured into the entrance hall to witness the school's rebirth.

Leaving the past behind and looking to the future was a recurring theme as visitors finished their tours of the school in Green Lane, Maybush, Southampton, and assembled in the new £3.4 million sports hall and 20-class-room teaching block.

The school, which stood on the brink of closure when it became the first in Hampshire to fail an inspection by education watchdog Ofsted three years ago, was well and truly back in business.

Each of the speakers, introduced by chairman of governors Maureen Tremayne, referred to the dark days when the axe was hanging over the 540-pupil school until it made sufficient improvements to be taken out of special measures in May last year.

But they all insisted that the partnerships forged during difficult times would be the bedrock that ensured future success.

Head teacher Brian Pain said: "Today is a very special day for Millbrook School. We've faced great challenges in the past three years and we emerge today as a proud and successful school.

"Today we draw a line under the difficult times and only look forward to the future."

Visiting junior schools minister Charles Clarke paid tribute to all the people who had come together to make Millbrook Community School what it is today.

"You have created an exhilarating educational environment. In the high commitment of teachers and high motivation of pupils you have the ingredients needed. That has to be worked for, it doesn't just come out of thin air.

"Millbrook has a hard history to deal with. A bad Ofsted is harrowing and distressing in the extreme. It makes everyone feel they've failed."

Joining Mr Clarke at the opening ceremony were the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mary Fagan, Southampton mayor Derek Burke and City Council leader June Bridle.

Mr Burke, a former parent and chairman of governors at the school, said: "This is a dream fulfilled. It's a new beginning for Millbrook at the end of one century and the beginning of the next. This is what a community school should be."

The new building was the result of a partnership between Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and Sport England, which contributed £1.5 million from its National Lottery cash fund.

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