A NEW £4million primary school has opened in Malvern.

Malvern Vale Primary School accepted its first batch of pupils on September 4, some nine months after it was supposed to open.

The school, in Swinyard Road, Malvern, was meant to start teaching children in January, however this was delayed because of a lack of applications.

Headteacher Chris Hansen said: "It has been a privilege to open Malvern Vale Primary School to its pupils for the first time this week.

"Our current intake is of 13 children, who are settling quickly into their brand new environment and we look forward to seeing this grow.

"Worcestershire County Council has created wonderful facilities for children to experience an exciting education.

"We look forward to working with everyone in the local community to ensure Malvern Vale is a successful and happy school."

Mr Hansen added that pupils are settling into the school and have started forming friendships.

He said the school, which is part of the Mercian Educational Trust, is run by a 'skilled and experienced' team.

The headteacher said this team includes a teacher, a teaching assistant and a school administrator, who have all come from within the trust.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said: “I’m delighted to see the opening of a brand new school in Malvern Vale and I know from conversations with local residents how welcome this new school will be.

"I hope that the teachers and pupils all settle in well and I look forward to visiting in the near future to wish them good luck in person.”

The Mercian Educational Trust previously said only two children had applied to study at the school, ahead of its scheduled opening in January.

The trust said this was due to an ‘exceptionally’ low birth rate.

Malvern Vale Primary School is a satellite expansion of Somers Park Primary School.