Secondary pupils also moved into the first phase of the new Grove Academy in Broughty Ferry.

Dundee City Council hailed the openings as the start of “a new era” for education in the city.

The first day back at school year is always a nervous one for pupils, who must adjust to new teachers and new classmates.

But today was even more fraught, with pupils having to contend with brand-new, unfamiliar buildings.

Parents and grandparents were out in force to watch as their little ones started at the new schools.

And were full of praise for the new buildings.

Most said their children were excited, if a little apprehensive.

Hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside St Leonard’s and St Fergus Church before the pupils of the new St Andrews’s RC Primary walked up the road to their new classrooms.

A piper led the march and the school’s new crest was revealed outside the front door.

Irene Dailly’s granddaughter, Kennedy (8), started her first day in primary four at the school today.

“It’s very touching to see all the kids moving on,” she said.

“Kennedy was very nervous going into primary four and meeting new people, but she was looking forward to it.”

Pauline Brogan, of Downfield, watched her daughter Caitlin (8) go to her new school for the first time.

“It’s very exciting, but Caitlin was a bit apprehensive” she said.

“They have a bigger school with new teachers and new friends to get used to.

“It’s a nice new school and they’ve waited that long for a new one.

“They were in two temporary schools before and even had to go to another school to do PE, so this will be much better.”

Meanwhile, at the new Downfield Primary, four-year-old Layton Chaplin was “raring to go”, according to his grandmother.

Gill Souter said, “The new school is very impressive.

“It’s all adapted for wheelchairs and very modern, with a toilet in every classroom even!

“It’s a lot better than the schools we went to when we were little.”

Cara Reid’s son Richard (4) started at Downfield today, alongside Heather Parkin’s son Mikie (3) and daughter Amber (5).

Both parents said they felt reassured by the school’s safety features, which include a secure gateway and a separate entrance for the nursery area.

At Craigowl Primary, the pupils quickly got into the swing of things.

It is now one of the largest schools in the city, with around 550 pupils, who include children from the former Brackens and Macalpine schools.

Donna Wilson, of Pitroddie Gardens, and Kim Cook, of Teviotdale Avenue, dropped off their sons Jack Nicol and Ethan Mowatt (both 7) this morning.

Both were starting in primary three. Donna said, “They were both happy and looking forward to it.

“They knew their teachers from before so it’s not such a big change for them.

“Both went to Brackens Nursery and have been in the same classes since then.”

Kim added, “The new school looks fine from outside, and I’m pleased that they’ve got a modern school to go to.”

The first phase of the new replacement buildings for Grove Academy also opened this morning, while Claypotts Castle Primary opened in May.