DEVELOPERS transforming an historic York school into housing in a £5.5 million scheme are looking for former pupils to share their memories.

Work is under way on building 38 new homes on the Shipton Street School site, next to York City FC’s Bootham Crescent ground.

Facebook and twitter pages have been set up where people can reminisce about their schooldays and share pictures. A school reunion is also planned.

The estate agent marketing the Bootham Green development, David Beavers, of Hudson Moody, was among those who attended Shipton Street between 1957 and 1961.

The school lay empty following its 2002 closure until Rushbond Group and Advent Developments began construction in February.

The listed school buildings will be preserved as 24 townhouses, with 14 new homes in the school grounds. The development is due for completion in autumn.

Mr Beavers, who grew up in Burton Stone Lane and bought his first house in nearby Newborough Street, said: “It’s fantastic to be involved because it’s been sad to see the school standing empty.

“I still have lots of friends I went to school with and both my sons went there, so it will always be a special place to me. Hopefully, this reunion will encourage other former pupils to share their Shipton Street memories and pictures.”

Molly Whattum, the school’s caretaker for 11 years who lives nearby, said: “It’s a stunning building at the heart of Bootham and local children had been taught there since 1890, so it’s no surprise people hold such fond memories and it’s great to see it now being brought back to life.”

Bootham Green project spokesman Tim Reeve said the developers had been inundated with messages from former pupils, staff and others with links to the school, sparking the idea for the reunion. Details will be announced shortly.

Memories and pictures can be shared at facebook.com/BoothamGreen and on twitter at @BoothamGreen.