Almost 200 former pupils, parents and teachers have celebrated the 150th anniversary of a Kent primary school.

Charing Church of England Primary School, near Ashford, marked the milestone last weekend with an exhibition of the school’s past and an opportunity for old friends to reunite and reminisce.

The Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, gave a sermon as part of a service to celebrate the anniversary at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Charing. Pupils led the service and rang the school’s 150 year old bell, which was restored especially for the occasion.

Damian Green, MP for Ashford, attended the service and was interviewed by the pupils.

Tom Bird, who has been headteacher of the school for 4 years, said:

“Everyone associated with the school had a wonderful time and the children did the school proud. This was not just an opportunity to celebrate our 150 years, but to celebrate what is happening now. We have been blown away by the community’s love for our school and by the number of people who came to look around and remember old times.”

Visitor, Shirley Solly, made the following comment:

“I was so very pleased to be able to look around Charing School on its 150th Anniversary.  The school is so very colourful and the tour showed such a welcoming environment with bright, playful activities for the younger children and easily accessible information and books for all.  It was good to be able to talk to the enthusiastic and friendly staff and to see photos of pupils and staff both present and past, a great anniversary well marked, congratulations.”