CHILDREN and teachers in Wyke Regis stepped back in time to celebrate the infant school's 50th anniversary.

Former staff and pupils from the school visited its current pupils to share their experiences and children learnt lessons from the past such as how to hand jive and playground games that their parents and grandparents would have played.

Sybil Sheldon taught at the school from 1962 to 1979 and still lives in Weymouth. She said: "I started teaching here 40 years ago and things were completely different then.

"The children all wore a much more formal school uniform and there were fewer staff because there were no teaching assistants. "I was pleased to be asked back to talk to the pupils, I've enjoyed coming in very much. It's lovely to be welcomed in again and everyone's been so friendly.

"The children have been asking me questions and I've been answering them and asking questions of my own about what it is like here now."

Year two teacher Maureen Reynolds was one of the organisers of the week-long celebration. She said: "We've had visits from former teachers and pupils, have been teaching the children simple rock and roll dances and the reception children have been thinking about things that could go in a time capsule to bury in the school grounds."

Children at the school have also made 50 daffodils to represent the 50 golden years and displays have been put up comparing school uniforms then and now.

The school has lots of old photographs from over the years which were donated by former pupils and teachers.

Mrs Reynolds said: "The response has been wonderful."

Wyke Regis Infant School was officially opened in September 1953 when 150 children attended, now the school has 346 children, including the nursery.

Former pupils and staff have been welcomed to the school throughout the week to look through old photos and log books.

John Bagg, 56, went to the school from 1953 to 1954. He said: "It's lovely to look back 50 years on and recognise a lot of the people in the photos even though you haven't seen them for all that time.

"Looking back through the log books I've seen that my dad, who was a baker, got fruit sent over from Australia to put in a cake for the school to celebrate the Queen's coronation. I was only six or seven at the time so I didn't know anything about it."

Kathy Verkooijen, 46, who was at the school from 1963 to 1967, added: "It was great coming to school here. We did lots of things outside and when we were inside the sun shone through the lovely south-facing windows."

Headteacher Margaret Davies said: "We thought it was important to celebrate 50 years of the school's history and everyone has been so supportive, it's wonderful."