Leighton's Leedon Lower celebrates its 50th anniversary

They stretched over two days with a week-long historical photographic exhibition.

There was a 1960s dress-up day followed by an open day with more than 90 visitors, including former pupils and staff.

On the actual anniversary – February 22 – the children enjoyed the same meal their predecessors had and filed into assembly at exactly he same time.

These details were gleaned from the original headmaster’s journal by current headteacher, Richard Benson, who decided to continue the tradition by writing his own report.

Excerpts include: “Leedon Lower School celebrated its 50th birthday with 370 children – 278 girls and 192 boys.

“Mr Benson, dressed in cap and gown, rang the school bell ansd ordered the children to line up and the parents to go home. One parent asked the headteacher a question and was asked to put her concerns in a handwritten letter (lol!)

“The headteacher visited each classroom and children stood behind their chairs and greeted him. There were good examples of chanting, needlepoint, handwriting and cross-country dancing.

“All pupils stayed for lunch - roast pork, roast potatoes, Brussels and carrots, followed by pineapple upside down cake for pudding.

“Visitors shared a special birthday cake and wrote their thoughts in a commemorative book. Here’s to the next 50 years!”