The boss in charge of the Paramount Park project told Ebbsfleet Academy pupils: “We’re looking forward to working with you.”

The former Swan Valley Community School reopened as Ebbsfleet Academy on September 6, and held an official opening on Thursday.

Paramount park boss Tony Sefton was among the guests, along with his wife celebrating their wedding anniversary, to discuss how pupils will be able to work at the park.

The company will have an office based at the school.

He said: “I came to Swanscombe three years ago. I was in a meeting saying we needed to find about 800 acres and everywhere we looked was rubbish.

“We are building one of the biggest theme parks in the UK and then some bloke said why don’t you try Swanscombe?

“Your town is amazing – you’re on top of a hill and you’ve got these little pockets around you that are getting filled up, one with a shopping centre and I hope another with Paramount Park.”

The opening was attended by several invited guests including councillors and governors.

Mr Sefton went on to tell pupils: “You are better than you think you are. Our careers people will be here – have a look at the jobs. We need lots of people and we’re looking forward to working with you.”

The Paramount scheme will see the third-largest theme park in the world, built on the Swanscombe peninsula with Paramount Pictures supporting it.

If planning permission is approved, it is claimed there will be 17,000 jobs on the site with a further 10,000 jobs created to meet the demands of the park.

The academy made national headlines following our story about its strict uniform policy. Pupils were sent home for wearing the wrong shoes or having inappropriate bags.

While some parents were unhappy, many fully support the tough stance.

Continuing her no-nonsense policy, principal Alison Colwell said she was delighted that pupils were moaning that they have more homework.

She said: “I have a very clear vision. We will become the number one school of choice in our community. We will be characterised by outstanding teaching.

“We will be over subscribed and this is a school you will feel proud of.”