MORE parents are lining their children up to become pupils at Bicester's first eco town primary after the initial lack of applications.

Principal Alan Derry said he is feeling positive about September's opening after a successful first community open day on Wednesday.

It follows two failed attempts to open the school in previous years after just 10 pupils applied for places last September, despite almost 100 families having moved into the NW eco town in Bicester.

Mr Derry, who is currently acting interim principal at sister school Southwold Primary School, said: "It is an amazing facility at the heart of the community and parents can expect and exciting and engaging curriculum based on sustainability."

He added: "Now it is about looking at the potential we have with the school and people can come and see, and start to feel and imagine, what it will be like to learn at Gagle Brook School."

The school, the White Horse Federation, has so far had 23 applications through for pupils looking to study at Gagle Brook School as either a first, second or third choice.

The Federation hopes the recent community day will have encouraged more people to sign up for the September 2018 start and is still looking for more Reception places.

One parent who went along to the open was Rachael Bellis, with three-year-old daughter Summer Jeffries.

Ms Bellis, from the Garden Quarter in Bicester, said: "We were really impressed with the school.

"We thought it would just be a walk around the around the school, but they really went out there way to create a fun open day.

"They did a treasure hunt for the children which took them on a tour of the school and lots of other activities - it really set a precedent for how it will be at the school.

"Everyone was helpful, friendly and my little one was very excited.

"We hoped it would be our first choice school and now we are 100 per cent certain we want Summer to go there."

Staff at Gagle Brook School put on the fun-packed open day to give the public their first look around the school building which built to be as sustainable as possible.

Mr Derry added: "The open day was awesome, it went really well and we were busy throughout both sessions with - what I would guess - between 80 to 100 families.

"We had lots of community support with the running of the open day which including a treasure hunt of 25 doors to find, and activities such as a forestry school outside melting marshmallows and making giant dragonfly artwork.

"It was so positive and everything was really well received with parents loving the school.

"Having the building full of families like it should be was sensational."

Mr Derry added the school is still looking for people to apply in the Reception class to ensure the school opens next September.

Two more open days will be held on January 11 and 12 which parents can arrange tours with Mr Derry by contacting head@gaglebrook.org.uk

Application are to be submitted by January 15.