Kettering St Mary's Primary School celebrates 125 years as pupils and staff - past and present - gather to mark anniversary

People are being asked to bring memorabilia and photos of life at St Mary’s that can be copied and used to complete a time capsule to be buried next year.

Two former headteachers – Tony Packham and Jonathan Gardiner – will be joining current head Diane Wright on the day as well as pupils, teachers and staff from down the decades.

Mrs Wright said: “We would love as many people to join us from the past. What a special opportunity to celebrate our 125 year foundation of St Mary’s. To honour those in the past and to capture the living history of those who have been part of what makes St Mary’s great.

"We encourage all those who have had involvement at St Mary’s School to contact us so that we can capture their voice.”

People are being asked to pop into the school in Fuller Street from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, September 28.

St Mary’s School opened 125 years ago to just 73 pupils when the headteacher Miss Annie Cruickshank received 114 applications to the school in the very first week.

Mrs Wright who has been at the school for more than 20 years is looking forward to the event.

She said: “It’s going to be lovely. We are really excited. The school captures the heart of those who join its family.”

Michelle Dix attended the school herself in the 1970s, sent all three of her children to the school and began working at the school nearly 25 years ago.

She said: “This school is so incredibly special to me, it is part of who I am and has been a instrumental part in the journey of all of my children. I am very proud to be a part of this special place.”

Ms Wright added: “The Old Grammarians, Kettering Town councillors have very generously supported us in this event. We are seeking to capture the voice of the past. We will be creating a video, memorabilia for the time capsule, community art installation and sharing photos. If you have any photos, please bring them along on the day and we can scan them in.”