Sixty years to celebrate Wolverhampton classrooms where stars were created

Regis, which closed its doors in July 1998 before re-opening as Kings School, is marking its 60 anniversary this year - and inviting some of its very first student to celebrate the milestone.

When it opened in 1955, the school was one of the first comprehensives built on the British mainland, headed up by education pioneer, Sir Godfrey Cretney.

And while its students will probably most fondly remember the annual dance or the terrifying teachers who still wore their gowns from the private education system, Regis's real legacy is its successful alumni.

Stage actor and director Laurence Foster, who will be attending the anniversary event, is among the famous faces, along with Olympic sprinter Denise Lewis, England cricketer Vikram Solanki and Sam Doble who went on to play international rugby for England.

Laurence, who attended the school on Tettenhall Road between the ages of 11 and 16 before attending Birmingham Theatre School, is making the trip to Wolverhampton from his home in Ireland.

He described his time at Regis as 'the best in his life' and that it was there he caught to acting bug. He was among the first intake of pupils.

"A total of 150 of us filled the first places, and in some respects, we were probably educational guinea pigs," he says. "The comprehensive system was unknown and some deemed it to be unworkable.

"To be the first in the school was exciting and, it was literally built up around us. The teaching staff seemed to be hand picked, and for the most part, we had great respect for them and they for us.

"From the outset, we were treated as small adults. Bad behaviour was dealt with sensibly without demeaning anyone. On reflection, we enjoyed our time there and each of us seemed to have our own particular talents encouraged.

"Being the first intake meant we had little or no peer pressure and we all seemed to bond so well.

"They also encouraged my successes in theatre and writing - not bad for an experimental school, in a small suburb. They gave me the experience to produce plays and lead them with conviction and creativity.

The celebration event will take place on May 14 at Linden House, Tettenhall Road, between midday and 4pm. It will be a chance for past pupils to share their memories and re-live their hazy school days.

Mr Foster said he was hugely looking forward to the event.

"The positive ethos of the school seems to have been preserved, highlighted by former pupils, in producing innovative managers, an England rugby international, an English test cricketer, a violin virtuoso, an Olympic gold medallist, a published authoress of poems and a national concert orchestra cellist.

"Because of the way my career paved out, I lost touch a lot of what was going on in Wolverhampton - but I'm thrilled to be coming back, its a great place and I have so many happy memories.

"Everyone's enthusiasm for this jubilee has been infectious and, at least, fifty of the original classes are expected to turn up. The jubilee celebrations mean so much to me."

Another original pupil from the school attending the event will be Kath Coope, aged 71 from Pattingham, who is hoping for a big turnout.

"It's going to be a great day - I just hope everybody will be able to recognise each other," she said.

Sir Godfrey received his knighthood in 1966 after championing the comprehensive system.

His former colleagues remember a man committed to education opportunities for all and who was so proud of his new school that he spent his lunch hours picking up litter in the playground.

When Regis launched in 1955 it was one of the first four comprehensive schools in England, with comprehensive education already existing on the Isle of Man.

A total of 206 pupils first came through the doors, with the buildings only half-finished.

"Sir Godfrey was totally committed to comprehensive education and took in pupils of all abilities," said Eva Johnson, secretary to Sir Godfrey from the school's opening until his death in 1971 aged 59.

"Although they were 11-year-olds many couldn't read or write when they arrived but caught up during their time at the school and even went on to university.

"Sir Godfrey was an exceptional man. He was strict, but his charm and appeal to children meant he could always get them to do what he wanted.

"He attracted the best teachers from all over the country to come and work at the school and visitors from all over the world came to see an experiment in practice."

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