A multimillion pound project to combine two comprehensive schools has been completed.
Headteacher Tim Williams has been handed the keys to the £25.5 million Islwyn High School, where pupils from Pontllanfraith and Oakdale comprehensive schools will begin to study at in the coming weeks.
The two schools formally merged in September last year, although pupils are still being taught on the sites of their respective former schools.
Work on the school began in August 2015, with contractors Wilmott Dixon transforming the wasteland which was once home to the Oakdale Colliery into a fit-for-purpose school premises.
The school has impressive features such as modern teaching spaces, state-of-the-art technology workshops, science labs and IT suites spread across three floors.
The outside space boasts a 3G pitch and multi-use games area as well as outdoor learning spaces and an amphitheatre.
Mr Williams said: “To say we are excited to reach this stage is an understatement. We have been gearing up to merge the schools and move for a long time. I have been to the site so many times so I feel like I know the layout inside out however I feel it will truly become a school when all of our pupils arrive.
“The teaching spaces and outdoor facilities are first class and it will be a pleasure to see them in use.”
Daniel Greenway, pupil ambassador, added: “We have been really lucky coming to see it at different stages and it was hard to imagine how it would look but it has all come together.”