Tony Blair has cut the ribbon to officially open the Madejski Academy in Whitley, Reading.

Accompanied by John Madejski, who donated £8 million towards the £28 million school, and education minister Lord Adonis, Mr Blair toured the new academy, stopping off to help one pupil make a papier mache model.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Blair said:

“Everybody understands that there is nothing more important than education. I was very lucky to have a privileged background. John [Madejski] was not so lucky

“My passion has always been for education. If I had not had a lot of lucky breaks I would not have gone on to be Prime Minister.”

“The idea is to give pupils a sense of pride in their school, so they look back on their days in school and say 'that's when I learned what I had within myself to be the best I can be'."

"When I look at this wonderful building and all the energy and vitality that's here, I'm proud that we took that decision.”