A multi-million pound academy marked its official opening with a family fun day attended by pupils, parents, teachers – and a dancing giraffe.
Lake Farm Park Academy opened its doors the community in Hayes, offering activities including face-painting and cupcake decorating.
Hillingdon Metropolitan Police Service and the London Fire Brigade were also on hand to offer safety advice on the day.
Speaking at the event, Dr Martin Young, chief executive of The Park Federation, which runs the academy, said: "Our official academy opening is here and we are enthusiastically celebrating this momentous occasion.
“It marks the culmination of everyone's hard work and dedication: a collective effort from children, families and the staff team.
“The Park Federation is committed to making this an inclusive and high-performing academy in the heart of Hayes."
The academy in Botwell Common Road welcomed its first pupils at the beginning of the school year in September.
Its opening has created 630 primary school places, 90 nursery places and 12 places for pupils with special educational needs.
Currently, it has only signed up nursery children and Year 1 pupils, but management plan to fill the other year groups shortly.
The academy is one of two schools built this year as part of Hillingdon Council's £150million School Investment Programme, the other being the John Locke Academy, in Bader Way, Uxbridge.
The investment programme – the largest of its kind in London – aims to create 6,500 new primary school places over the coming years, in response to increasing demand in the borough.
The council's deputy leader, Councillor David Simmonds, cabinet member for education and children's services, said: "The council's priority is to make sure that Hayes children receive the education they deserve and our investment in Lake Farm Park Academy is an investment in their future.
"This is a marvellous school with superb facilities and inspiring teaching staff.
“We look forward to celebrating their successes with them as they grow as a school community."
The council says the academy has been designed with sustainability in mind and features a range of energy-efficient and water-saving technologies, as well as state-of-the-art classrooms, sports facilities and orchards.
The site also houses a designated cycle area to encourage pupils and teachers to cycle to school, as well as a parent drop-off car park, which will be available for visitors to the adjacent Lake Farm Country Park to use on weekends.
The plans for the school sparked controversy when they were originally mooted in July 2011, because the site is on green belt land, with hundreds of campaigners opposing the development.
