TWO DECADES, thousands of pupils and 500 balloons: for the past two weeks this Bicester primary school has been celebrating a very special birthday.

Staff and students of Langford Village School marked its 20th birthday in May with a balloon release, a fun day, a fun run, a school reunion and a 90s-themed disco.

About 3,000 people joined a birthday fun day to start the celebrations on May 21, including past pupils, current schoolchildren and families.

But they also reminisced about its less-than-auspicious start.

In the early 1990s, the opening of Bicester's highly-anticipated new school was delayed for years because of lack of demand.

Twenty years on, the school now boasts a site nearly double its original size with more than 500 pupils.

Early years teacher Hayley Durbin, who has worked at the school for eight years, said: "Right from the start, the goal for the 20th Birthday celebrations was to have a program of memorable, enjoyable school community events.

"The 20th Birthday committee of 10 staff members, parents and governors, put in fantastic efforts to create optimum opportunities for its success.

"Our object was to create a long-lasting positive memory of our school community in our 20th year and we certainly did that very well.

"We knew there was so much pride in this school, but it was so lovely to feel that vibe so strongly over the week."

Plans for Langford Village Primary School were first drawn up in the early 1990s when Bicester was a much smaller town, but were then shelved for two years due to lack of demand.

In 1995 the plans were resurrected as the estate in Langford was growing and more parents started vying for places at the school.

When it finally opened in 1996 after years of planning, the £1,147,000 school in Peregrine Way had seven classrooms holding just 210 pupils.

It was next extended in 2000 to provide a dedicated teaching block for Key Stage 2.

The Langford School now has about 530 students – more than double its original capacity.

Ms Durbin added: "Langford hasn’t quite finished celebrating yet: they are part-way through designing a commemorative book which will offer a visual and written history of the school's past 20 years.

"Lots of the material has come from a Facebook event page and a memories wall and we want to thank every visitor who supplied us with photos, memories and best wishes – you gave us a great sense of what has happened and what has changed over that time."

Events culminated in the traditional balloon release on Friday which saw 500 sent on their way.

A commemorative plaque was also unveiled and Ms Durbin was awarded a "citizens award" from Mayor of Bicester Jolanta Lis for her commitment to the school.

She added: "I am still beaming, honoured and overwhelmed to receive this award."