Looking back on 70 years of school life

From the days when boys took woodwork while girls did needlework right to the present day – a South Staffordshire high school has created an exhibition celebrating its 70-year history.

Pupils and staff at Codsall High School have worked for around a year to compile memories, photographs and memorabilia of the Elliots Lane school.

They saw their hard work come together as scores of people dropped into Codsall Village Hall to check out the exhibition, share memories and even bump into old friends.

Big display boards with pictures of former pupils, teachers and key moments in the school's history were on show.

The school opened on June 3, 1940, and some original fixtures such as the old school bell, girls' aprons and a school report were all on display over the weekend.

Other props, borrrowed from Harry Potter prop artist Trevor Howsam, were dotted around to help bring each decade to life, while music from each era played in the background.

Pupils had spent time learning interview techniques before testing them out on former pupils. These memories were played on a video screen in the hall.

Jane De Weijer, project co-ordinator, said it had been a resounding success.

"People who have dropped in over the weekend have loved it," she said.

"They have looked at it and it's brought back memories."

Gill Whittaker, nee Thacker, was among the former pupils who enjoyed the exhibition. The mother-of-one, who attended Codsall High from 1960 to 1965, spotted herself in a school photo in which she was pictured standing next to Slade rocker Jimmy Lea.

"It's certainly brought back some memories," said the retired dental nurse tutor."I used to have a copy of the class photo but it's gone, so I'm really pleased to see this again."

The project was funded by a £21,000 Heritage Lottery Grant, plus several other smaller grants.It is hoped the exhibition will go on display again later in the year.