Larkmead School in Abingdon is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its official opening.

Although formally opened by Sir John Cockcroft on June 8, 1956, Larkmead saw its first pupils a year earlier, when 122 children moved from the old secondary school in Bostock Road.

Kelvin Lucy, 64, a retired newsagent from Norman Avenue, was at the school from 1955 until 1958. His form, Class 2a, and Class 2b moved in the spring of 1955.

Known initially as the new County Modern School, Larkmead took its name from the nearby Lark Hill stream. The names Lark Hill, Willowside and Larkmead were proposed, before the latter was chosen.

Mr Lucy, who was head boy in 1957, said the first headmaster, Arthur Westall, was one of the old school "a portly figure, who looked at you over his half-rim spectacles and had a deep voice".

Mr Lucy remembers that everything was brand new and rooms smelled of fresh wood and leather. The Queen visited Abingdon in November 1956 as part of the celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the town's Charter and Larkmead pupils painted the coat of arms on shields that were displayed in the town's streets. The shields are now in the Guildhall.

Several children were also chosen to throw buns from the top of the County Hall. Current headteacher Chris Harris said: "Fifty years is a significant landmark. There are other, much older, schools in the town, but we plan to build up a long tradition providing top quality education."

A barbecue and disco for former pupils is being held to mark the anniversary on Saturday, July 15, at 4pm. Tickets cost £10.

For details, call Mr Lucy on 01235 535243.