Ysgol Bryn Offa is now known as Ysgol Clywedog

Under the £12m plan for Wrexham, three secondary schools have been closed - Groves High, St David's and Bryn Offa - and two new ones created.

The new schools, Ysgol Clywedog and Rhosnesni High are both being extensively modernised.

The scheme was dogged by criticism from many parents of pupils who attend the affected schools.

Last year a petition with more than 1,000 signatures was handed in to education officials in protest over the plans.

However, the scheme went ahead after the Welsh assembly ratified the local council's scheme.

"Staff have worked hard to prepare for the opening of the new school," said Bernard Knowles, headteacher at Rhosnesni High.

"I am very positive about the future and look forward to seeing the school develop as a centre for learning."

The Groves school buildings will still be used until 2005, but it is now known as the Penymaes site, housing pupils from Rhosnesi High School.

The two multi-million pound new schools will place a larger emphasis on vocational courses.

Wrexham council has funded the project by selling local authority property.