A DALE primary school has reached new heights in preparation for its diamond jubilee next month.
People will be getting a new perspective of Green Lane Primary School, in Barnard Castle, when they attend a garden party on Saturday, May 4, to celebrate the site’s 60th anniversary.
Drone pilot and parent of the school Steve Perkins visited to photograph pupils and staff on the sports field forming the number 60.
The aerial photographs will form part of a exhibition on the celebration day that includes old pictures and memorabilia.
Headteacher Rob Goffee said the festivities will kick off with a former teacher ringing the school bell followed by a blessing by vicar Revd Canon Alec Harding, who is also chairman of the school governors.
Mr Goffee said: “It is mimicking around the official opening – we will be singing Jerusalem, just as they did in 1959.”
It is planned that a former teacher will join in the singing. A famous point in the school’s history will be recreated when pupils from the Glee Club go on stage to sing The Toothbrush Song.
About two decades ago pupils appeared on television news singing the song, and Martin Maughan, who appeared in the original, will be returning for the occasion.
During the day, pupils from year six will take visitors on tours of the school to show how it has changed over the years. A highlight of the day will be a football match at 2.30pm which will see many of Green Lane’s past football players take to the pitch.
Among the players is Brian Robson, one of the school’s first pupils, and Chris Minikin, who was both a former pupil and later a teacher at Green Lane.
Mr Minikin is now headteacher of Montalbo Primary School. Mr Goffee said anyone who has an association with the school is invited to join the jubilee celebration, which starts at 1pm. Anyone connected to the school is welcome.
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