Ryefield Primary leads 50th birthday celebrations

There are still many Infants Schools and Junior Schools left in the borough today, in Harefield and Oak Farm, Hillingdon for example.

But in 1980, a decision was made from the town hall to amalgamate the two buildings as one, and Ryefield Primary School was formed.

One student who attended the Ryefield Infants School is still very much a part of the school fabric today.

Kath Bridgen began her time as a student in the Infants School in 1968, and now she works at the school as a dinner lady.

Jane Woodridge, deputy headteacher, said: "Kath is in every lunchtime, she is very popular and loves the school.

"Lots our pupils come back as students when they get to secondary school, and a lot of the current intake of children have parents who actually came here.

"Often parents have moved a long while away, but as they have such fond memories of the school they ensure their children also come here."

Mrs Woodridge herself has been at the school for 20 years, but is busy looking to the future.

"We are holding a special birthday celebration in summer for a week in June starting on the 21st, ending with a summer fête on the 26th."

The school are inviting past pupils to get in touch with them and encourage them to attend the celebrations.

"We have far more resources nowadays than we did 20 years ago, but the class sizes are still the same.

"The physical building has changed quite a lot, anybody who has not been here for a while will spot some noticeable differences."

One of the more simple design changes will turn into a school landmark for generations thanks to a new scheme to take place this summer.

A new pathway leading to the school's all weather play area is to be laid, but each brick will contain the name of a pupil.

"If any of our past pupils would like their name to feature on the pathway, they should get in touch with us, it will be a nice way for us to mark our anniversary."