PUPILS in Cirencester enjoyed a tour around their new school site, as they prepare to move in just after the New Year.

Watermoor School students donned their hard hats and high-vis jackets before being shown around their future school by Carter Construction's Mike Hodgins last Friday.

The pupils and teachers are hoping to move into the bigger school by February 2015, with the official opening at Easter. Building work officially started at the site by Kingshill in January this year.

"We are obviously very excited about moving into our new school," said headteacher Jo Pearce. "We have been working on this project for two years now and it is wonderful to see the building taking shape.

"The children are buzzing with excitement and beginning to ask questions and are starting to realise the move is coming soon."

The architects and construction team have been working hard with both students and staff to design the building specifically to suit the school's needs.

"We are particularly looking forward to the community rooms within the building, the new nurture room, our teaching kitchen, the bigger classrooms and the pre school, which the governors are hoping to open in the next academic year," added Mrs Pearce.

"We are very proud of our school, and we are very proud of our new building."

There were shouts of excitement as the children carefully tread around the site. Pupil Matthew said he thought it was fantastic.

"I liked the sprinkler system and the coloured windows," he said.

Another student Dec said he thinks it is going to be the best school in the world.

"As you walk in there is loads of space for playing football," he said. "I love the coloured windows and I liked the yellow ones best. I liked seeing all the pipes behind the walls because normally you don't get to see that because it is hidden."

When complete, the school will be able to take on 210 students, compared to the current building which currently holds around 122.

Chairman of governors Alison Pine said the school would be managing the growth so it does not have an impact on other schools in the area.