A SCHOOL has been celebrating a special anniversary by dressing for the occasion.

Pupils at Lady Lumley’s School, Pickering, donned blazers, caps and berets, which were all part of the school uniform in 1959, in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the school’s move to its current site on Swainsea Road.

The anniversary events will include a special assembly on May 1 and a 1950s and 1960s ball, held in the school hall on May 15, with live music from a number of acts, including the school’s Swing Band.

The school is also looking for former pupils, parents, governors, trustees and teachers to donate memorabilia to create a display, detailing the school’s successes and personalities over the past 50 years.

Janet Walton, who has worked as school librarian for 24 years, and is a former Lady Lumley’s pupil, said: “We have a really big glass cabinet and we want to mock up a 1950s classroom inside it, with a blackboard, school benches, and a pupils in 1950s uniform. It helps students that are here now to see what the school used to be like. We would love to hear from anyone with photographs or other items from their school days.”

Before the move, the school was housed in a building on Middleton Road, which is now Pickering Community Junior School. In May 1959, the Swainsea Road building was opened by Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, and the headmaster, David Baxendall.

Since then, the school has developed under the leadership of Mr Proctor, Mr Schofield, Mr Corner and John Tomsett, and current head Richard Bramley.

A committee of students and staff is meeting every three weeks to plan the celebrations, and Mrs Walton said there was a great atmosphere, with all the students getting involved and thinking up new ideas.

Pickering Community Junior School is also doing a project which involves talking to older teachers and putting together a booklet based on what they say.

Mrs Walton said: “Fifty years is quite a milestone, and we have a lot to celebrate.

“Our exam results are always good, we have just got permission to teach the international baccalaureate (an educational qualification), and we have got specialist sports college status. Lady Lumley’s has really grown. This building was originally built for 400, and it now houses 1,000 pupils.”