Students and staff from past and present at Bretton Woods Community School reunited to celebrate the school's life before it is demolished to make way for housing and retail outlets.

At the event, visitors were able to participate in a school tour to see how the school has evolved in its teaching and learning and record their memories of the school in a Big Brother-style diary room.

There was also entertainment staged by students and a slide show of photos from the school's past.

The event was organised by current headteacher John Gribble who has been at the school, in Flaxland, Bretton, since it opened in 1977.

He said: "I thought it was an entitlement of ex-pupils and staff from all over the world to have a last look at their school and be together.

"It's delightful to see the whole family together – staff, current pupils, ex-staff and ex-pupils, to celebrate the life of the school.

"It's sad that the school is closing and I really feel for everyone at the school but we should cherish the memories and build for the future."

Former headteacher Mike Jones, who opened the school on Jan 4, 1977, reminisced about its past.

He said he has very fond memories of his five years at the school.

Mr Jones said: "Bretton Woods was the only placed that housed community activities.

"Everything that happened in Bretton happened here. Even the church was based here until 1978. We were open 365 days a year and even wedding ceremonies took place here.

"While I was here until 1983, I worked with some really great people and lots of them have gone on to be a great success in their own right.

"But life moves on and tomorrow is the future."

Ex-pupil Trudy May (42) joined fellow former pupils and teachers at the event on Saturday.

She said: "It has been absolutely fantastic meeting my old teachers and school friends. But I'm sad to see the school close because I saw it

developed. I even had some input when the school logo was designed."

Staff and pupils at Bretton Woods Community School will be transferring to the Voyager School in Walton where there will be a total of 1,800 pupils – compared to 1,000 at Bretton Woods.

When the school first opened in 1977 there were just two year groups – Year 7 and 8 – consisting of 250 pupils altogether.

Bretton Woods history:

Bretton Woods Community School first opened on January 4, 1977.

A total of 250 pupils, aged 11 to 13, moved into the first phase of the building. By September 1978 another phase was completed and a further 600 children joined the school.

In 1977 the school received the Queen's cousin Princess Alexandra on a high-profile royal visit.

While in Peterborough she unveiled a plaque for the official opening of Thomas Cook's new headquarters in the city.