THE first Barnet primary school to benefit from a landmark Government-council rebuild project was visited by schools minister Baroness Morgan this morning.

Ms Morgan, the Lords Minister for the Department for Children, Schools and Families, greeted pupils and teachers at Whitings Hill Primary School, in Whitings Road, Barnet, at 10am before being given a tour of the campus.

The radical building design will act as a blueprint for the five remaining schools due to be rebuilt over the next year as part of Barnet Council's First Class Schools scheme.

The 420-pupil school features a new swimming pool and sports hall, both available for community use.

Solar panels, ground source heat pumps, a small wind turbine and rainwater collection tanks will make the school one of the greenest in the borough.

A topping out ceremony at Broadfields Primary School, in Broadfields Avenue, Edgware, will be held on Thursday.

Building work is currently underway at Fairway and Northway schools, in The Fairway, Mill Hill, and is due to be completed next year.

Work is yet to begin at Summerside School, in Crossway, Finchley, and Chalgrove School, in Chalgrove Gardens, Finchley.