A NEW world of adventures welcomed the youngest pupils at an Oxford school, as they arrived for the first day of term.

Excited children could barely contain their excitement as they rushed to Headington Prep School's new £50,000 play area on Thursday.

Its range of activities has been designed to allow the girls to challenge themselves while developing their language and communication skills.

Four year old Eve Mason, one of those who enjoyed playing there on her first day, said: "I loved sliding".

Headington School Chair of Form representative Ann Millar and Headington School Parent Teacher Association chairwoman Elizabeth Douglas officially opened the playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.

Head of early years Rachel Fleming said: "The girls were amazed when they saw it, they were brimming with excitement and rushed out to go on it.

"They were using lots of happy language and talking about climbing.

"For the girls who were here for their first day it was a really nice start to school life.

"It is very safe and there is a managed risk, which benefits their learning."

The new play area consists of a mount with a tunnel, extended climbing equipment with a climbing wall, cargo nets and bridges and new all-weather flooring.

They money for its redevelopment came from fundraising as part of the school's Centenary Campaign to mark its 100th anniversary in September 2015.

Mrs Fleming said: "There is a physical challenge for the girls but they also have to communicate and work as a team with each other.

"That improves language and communication.

"Today we have had a lot of personal and social development.

"They are supporting each other with climbing.

"We very much look at their self-confidence and self-esteem and language develop is really key.

"Being independent and those skills are key but also working together as very young girls."

The playground was built for the school's two reception classes and Cornflower Nursery but it is hoped it will also benefit pupils in the rest of the school.

Mrs Fleming said: "The next thing we will be doing is extending it across the rest of the school.

"They will get the opportunity to use it on certain days of the week.

"They will develop similar skills and because they are more physically able we will be able to extend its use with them further."

The playground revamp comes after a multi-million pound rebuild of Headington Prep in September 2013.

The governors then decided they wanted to bring the outdoor play and learning areas up to the same standard as the indoor facilities.