FORMER pupils at St Andrew's First School in Barnt Green are being urged to come forward and help current students learn what life was like in days gone by as part of its 75th birthday celebrations.

A special anniversary service to mark the Hewell Road-based school's birthday will take place next Tuesday, December 18, at the newly refurbished St Andrew's Church, in Sandhills Road.

To commemorate the special birthday each class will adopt a decade in the school's history to study what life was like and on December 18 pupils will dress in the period costume of the decade they are studying.

Headteacher Kay Cholmondeley said: "Pupils tend to learn best from first hand experience, so it would be fantastic if any former pupils were able to contact the school with details of when they attended.

"We would be delighted to welcome former pupils at the special anniversary service."

As the school celebrates its anniversary, it is also facing a new challenge - to raise £50,000 to match education funding to build and equip two more classrooms and to extend and refurbish the hall.

Miss Cholmondeley added: "We are already well on the way to reaching our target with only £11,500 now to raise.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support given to us by parents.

"Over the coming months we will be launching a major campaign to invite local business or members of the community to support our efforts and again we would love to hear from anyone who might be interested in learning more about this."

For more information, call the school on 0121 445 1410.