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Primary school celebrates 150th anniversary

James Grantin Roade
James Grant/BBC Four children in brightly coloured clothing stand in a school playground and smile at the cameraJames Grant/BBC
Pupils from Roade Primary dressed up in 1980s and 1990s clothing as part of celebrations marking the school's 150-year history

A primary school has marked its 150th anniversary with a day of celebrations.

Roade Primary, near Northampton, held a parade, performances and a tree-planting ceremony as children dressed in costumes representing different eras from the school's history.

The school opened in 1876 with 77 pupils in a small Victorian building and has expanded several times to serve the growing village. It now has about 300 pupils.

"I was talking to a grandma yesterday who said she'd been part of the 100-year celebration. Her children were part of the 125-year celebration and now her grandchild has been part of the 150 celebration," said Jo Michel, the school's head teacher.

"It's a testament to how amazing the school is that we have generation after generation of people coming back."

James Grant/BBC A woman in a white dress stands in front of a gold sequinned wall with blue balloons and a large blue circle with "Roade Primary School, 150 years" written in orange/ gold on it. James Grant/BBC
Head teacher Jo Michel said the history of Roade Primary School was "incredible"

New classrooms were added over the decades, before a modern two-storey extension was created with space for eight additional classrooms.

Recently, a new teacher-led nursery has also opened.

The anniversary celebrations also gave pupils the chance to explore different periods in the school's history while considering what the future might look like.

"We are also planning what [a playground] will look like in 150 years. I think there will be more technology and lots of interactive things," said Year Six pupil Olivia.

James Grant/BBC A woman in a black lacy dress stands next to a woman in a white dress with a squared apron. They are smiling and are in front of a brick building. James Grant/BBC
Emma Singleton (left) and Ella Madden (right) are former pupils who now teach at Roade

Several current members of staff are former pupils, including nursery teacher Ella Madden and Year One teacher Emma Singleton.

"When I saw they were opening a school-based nursery in the village that I've grown up in and I love so much, it was just like a dream really. I couldn't not go for it and I love it," said Madden.

Singleton added: "We've had a real strong connection with Roade Primary School. I came here, my siblings came here and my son also came here."

Valerie Metcalfe, 59, a higher level teaching assistant who has worked at the school for 25 years.

"My job's changed dramatically. When I first started, I was just supporting in the class, and it's progressed to where I now teach classes independently. It's been great fun, there's never a dull moment," she said.

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