EDUCATION chiefs have been handed the rebuilt Cressex Community School in time for a September opening.

Construction has finished on the Holmers Lane school, which has been built next to the old school, which is being demolished.

The 20,000sqm, £27m project was built under Labour’s Building Schools for the Future programme, which has been mostly axed by the new coalition Government.

It features a large atrium, courtyard and environmentally friendly energy systems.

It comes after new management arrangements were put in place in a bid to improve results at the school, which has the lowest GCSE pass rate in south Buckinghamshire, for pupils with five or more grades A* to C, including English and Maths.

The school is now a 'co-operative trust' with input from private and high performing grammar schools.

It is hoped the new building will further drive up grades.

Education boss Cllr Steve Adams welcomed the move.

He said: "Whilst education isn't just about buildings, this is nevertheless a fantastic building which can only be a real boost for us and the people that go there."

Cllr Adams, cabinet member for achievement and learning, said: "This is another chapter of Cressex moving forward and transforming itself."

Bob Sanders, construction director of BAM Construction, which built the school, said: “The team has built Cressex Community School on time and to budget and we are delighted to have handed it over in time for occupation for the new academic term.”