BACK-to-school blues soon subsided for these beaming pupils as they set their eyes on a newly-improved playground.

Girls at Headington Preparatory School in Oxford were able to explore upgraded outdoor equipment on Thursday, after an official opening ceremony on the first day of term.

Jane Crouch, head of prep at Headington School, said: "We are delighted with the new outdoor equipment.

"There were squeals of joy as the pupils ran towards the inviting rides, climbs and slides at break time."

An overhaul of the playground was carried out at the girls' school, which teaches children aged three-11, during the summer holidays.

New apparatus installed includes a table tennis table, new climbing frames and a space net.

Mrs Crouch said the facility was made possible thanks to 'generous donations from the parent body'.

She added: "We are so very fortunate with the amount of outdoor space in the grounds - it really supports the learning which takes place in the classrooms.

"The new equipment provides a fantastic opportunity to extend further our outdoor approach to learning and to develop key skills such as resilience, risk taking, collaboration and perseverance."

Last academic the school's year of STEAM - science, technology, engineering, art and maths - saw pupils see DNA 'unravel' using virtual reality technology and take part in an art exhibition alongside an original piece by artist Henry Moore.

The new school year started with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the playground at 10.30am, inviting some of the older pupils to help with the honour.

Year 6 pupil Libby, who was one of the head girls who cut the ribbon, said: "I really enjoyed seeing so many happy faces, including my own, when the new playground was opened.

"I liked all the excitement and energy from everyone."

Her fellow head girl Ruby, who is also in Year 6, added: "It was really fun with all the new equipment, including the climbing frame and a spinning wheel.

"I can't wait to have more fun with it."

Several Oxford schools had mini makeovers during the summer holidays, with teachers and parents helping to spruce areas up over the break.

In its first newsletter of term last week, St Ebbe's CE Primary School in Grandpont thanked parents for their helping in clearing a wild pond area behind the school field.

It said: "[They] worked to clear the space and began the process of turning this very wild area into a beautiful secret garden, perfect for science lessons, gardening, storytelling and more.

"Thank you in advance for any support you give to the garden - this is such a valuable resource that has the potential to greatly enrich the school curriculum."