Excited pupils from a Selsdon special school were celebrating on Monday, as their new £4.6m home was officially opened by Croydon mayor Margaret Mead.

Children from the Red Gates school have been enjoying their plush new surroundings since moving out of their old training centre site in Purley Way in September.

The multimillion pound development also saw Gilbert Scott Infant and Junior Schools combined into a single primary school on the grounds because of shrinking class sizes.

Improvements include a purpose-built and landscaped area for the former Red Gates children, who all have profound learning difficulties, as well as a sensory garden and new play equipment.

Councillor Tim Pollard, the council’s lead member for children, young people and learners, said: “We are delighted that we have been able to provide more suitable accommodation for the schools, especially Red Gates which was in a building that caused all sorts of problems for the children, pupils, parents and carers.

“The real benefit for everyone now is that it is in a much better site that much better suits their needs.”

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