Pupils go back in time to celebrate school's 90th anniversary

Teaching assistant Lisa Dobson with pupils (left) Grace Arthur and Ruby Reay during the 90th Birthday Celebrations at Valley View Primary School. Picture by Frank Reid

The fashions of the day provided an education to youngsters as an array of clothing from the 1920s through to the present day were rolled out at Valley view Primary School in Jarrow.

They also found out more about what life was like for pupils from previous years.

Staff and pupils create the number 90 during the 90th Birthday Celebrations at Valley View Primary School. Picture by Frank Reid

As well as classes getting into character, they were also tasked with finding out more about each era during which the school has been open. Pupils from the school council also had the chance to find about what life was like after former students were invited in to be interviewed.

The interviews formed part of a 45-minute DVD chronicling the history of the school from when its doors first opened in 1928 to the present day.

Jane McGurk, deputy headteacher at the school in Lambton Terrace said: “Each year group have been learning about a decade from the year the school opened to the present day.

“They’ve been learning about the fashion, the music and what life was like.

“The School Council have put together a slideshow with past and present pupils being interviewed and the Year Six dance group have put together a mash up of dancing through the decades.

“The pupils have absolutely loved taking part. They have found it so interesting. The staff have also come in dressed up, we’ve had flapper girl costumes, 1950s rock and rollers and 70s psychedelic clothing.

“They children have found it all quite funny.”

The celebrations have been ongoing throughout the week with preparations starting a few months ago.

Mrs McGurk added: “It has been such a special occasion and a fantastic week-long celebration.”

The school aims to continue the 90th birthday celebrations with a bigger event at the end of the summer term.

Plans are being put in place to host a garden party where past pupils from the school will be invited to join its present pupils.

The school was originally built for £12,000 and was initially opened to serve the Monkton and Primrose estates.

Today, it forms part of the Primrose Village complex, in Lambton Terrace.