LORD PROVOST John Letford yesterday officially opened Claypotts Castle Primary School—five months after it first opened its doors to pupils.

The school was the first in the city to be built under the council’s £90 million public private partnership scheme (PPP) which sees private companies build public buildings then rent them back to the authority.

Support staff at the Balloch Place school are also employed by the contractors rather than Dundee City Council.

Yesterday’s celebrations mark the official opening of the first new school in Dundee since 1974.

Pupils put on a musical display to celebrate the history of Claypotts Castle and of Douglas and Powrie Primary Schools, which merged to create the new school.

Primaries one and two remained in their classes so visitors could see a working classroom.

Mr Letford said, “I am delighted to be involved in such a tremendous occasion. This event is a colourful celebration of a very proud school community.”