A NEW look Gourock school has been given a first class report card following a major £5 million overhaul.

Moorfoot Primary has re-opened after an extensive refurbishment programme.

Pupils and staff were decanted to the former Sacred Heart building in Greenock's Westmorland Road in February last year while work was taking place and recently returned home to their revamped school.

Head teacher Alison Irvine said: "My first reaction was 'wow'.

"It's a complete transformation.

"The school is very bright and airy with plenty of natural light.

"The children have responded to the change so well and it hasn't really taken a lot of time for us to settle in, we feel very much at home already."

The classrooms, gym hall and dining area have been given a makeover, as has the eye-catching library and computer suite.

The £5m facelift is part of Inverclyde Council's accelerated plan to have every primary and secondary either rebuilt or extensively refurbished by 2020.

The Moorfoot Drive building also houses a nursery class and the Garvel Deaf Centre.

Councillor Jim Clocherty, depute council leader and education convener, said: "This is another fantastic school as part of our schools estate transformation and I think the pupils and staff of Moorfoot Primary can be very proud of the building they have.

"We're coming to the end of our 2020 vision whereby we expect every primary and secondary school in Inverclyde to be either newly built or completely refurbished by 2020.

"Moorfoot is a refurbished building but looks as good as new.

"It's a campus here with the primary, nursery and deaf school so you also have that integration which is important - and the views are stunning."

One of the biggest changes is the exterior and the abundance of outdoor space for boys and girls to play and learn.

Councillor Natasha Murphy, who is vice-convener of communities, said: "The pupils are really enthusiastic about the new-look school and it looks amazing.

"The outside areas are great as well and that creates a nice, fun environment to make children want to play outdoors, which can sometimes be tough."

Gourock councillor, Lynne Quinn, says the revamped building will make a huge difference to pupils and teachers.

Mrs Quinn said: "It looks incredible, it's such a great facility.

"It feels like a fantastic new building but it's the same wonderful staff who make a school.

"They deserve such a high-quality facility to work in."