ON September 8 in 1959, an eager bunch of 115 children started at a brand new school which had just opened up in Epping.

Now, 50 years later, the 250 pupils who attend Ivy Chimneys Primary school celebrated the anniversary with a special party.

Current head teacher Denise Drew had the original log book and admissions register saved from when the school first opened, showing all the names of the new pupils.

She said: “Our children have looked at how life was 50 years ago and how different a pupil's school day would have been to how theirs is now. Mr Mullins was the head teacher at the time and there were four other teachers. 115 children were administered on the first day and by the end of the first full week the total was 124. We now have 250 children so it has doubled in size.”

Pupils and staff celebrated by holding a party with birthday cake and a disco.

Staff at the school are now hoping to get in touch with former pupils who started at the school in the first week it opened.

Mrs Drew said: “If there are people who worked at the school or taught at the school we would love to hear from them. If anybody is still living locally who was there during that first week and attended as a pupil it would be lovely if they could come forward and speak to us.”

If anyone was involved with the school when it first opened contact Mrs Drew on 01992 573518.