PAST and present pupils of a village school are sure to have a ball at a grand reunion.

Bowbrook House School, in Peopleton, near Pershore, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in July with a grand reunion ball in the grounds of the school.

The celebrations will also bring to a close the career of long-serving headmaster, Stephen Jackson, who has been in charge for 28 of those 50 years.

Mr Jackson will be succeeded by his long-serving deputy, Chris Allen, who will take over the reins as head in September.

"A black tie dinner with 30 past and present pupils is a fantastic note on which to retire," said Mr Jackson.

"As well as live music and a disco on Saturday, July 3, there will also be fireworks and plenty of reminiscing."

Employment

Mr Allen said that like all good schools, the facilities and educational provision at Bowbrook House continued to evolve with the changing needs of employment and of society in general, but one thing remained the same.

"I do not want to lose that unique family atmosphere that pervades all we do at Bowbrook," said Mr Allen.

"There is discipline yet the students are friendly, confident and respectful. There are traditional values and good manners. The small class sizes promote an ethos of learning and of order.

"The school thrives because it is small and because there is time for every pupil, whatever their needs.

"That is something upon which Bowbrook House School's future will continue to build."