THE third new ‘super school’ to open this month in Blackburn and Darwen has welcomed its first pupils.

Blackburn Central High School, off Haslingden Road, opened its doors on Wednesday to pupils in Years 10 and 11.

Today is the first day for Year Seven pupils, while yesterday Years Eight and Nine saw their new school for the first time.

The opening had been delayed after £24,000 of computer equipment was stolen.

The school, one of the last in the country to be built in the previous Government’s Building Schools for the Future scheme, sees Beardwood High School and Blakewater College merge, while Crosshill School has also moved to the new building.

Darwen Vale and Witton Park High schools have also opened this month.

Blackburn Central deputy headteacher Majid Ditta said he was delighted to start the school year, which had been delayed after computer equipment was stolen and part of the building damaged during a break-in.

He said: “It has been frustrating with the theft and delayed opening but that has also brought a real community spirit.

“Everyone has mucked in and staff have gone above and beyond the call of duty to get us ready.

“When we saw the kids for the first time in their new uniforms there was a real buzz and excitement.

“A wonderful thing for us was to see the two distinct communities of Blakewater and Beardwood blended together and not singling out the children from Crosshill for being different.

“We want to promote integration wherever possible.”

Crosshill headteacher Ian Maddison said: “This is fabulous. We have had students in for three days now.

“I’m thrilled with the opportunity our children have in this state-of-the-art 21st-century building.

“I am looking forward to sharing all the facilities.

“It has been a challenging transition from the old school, but all the hard work has paid off.”