FACES from down the generations flocked to Belfairs High School as it celebrated the history of its old buildings.

The school, in Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, will move to a £31million purpose-built block at the start of September.

It held a farewell party, called the Big Event for former pupils and staff yesterday.

Visitors enjoyed exploring five marquees at the school, one each for pupils from the Fifties, Sixties, Seventies, Eighties and a shared one for the Nineties and 2000s, mapping the school’s history since its launch in 1953.

John Duprey, headteacher, said: “Today is more than I ever expected. We had speculated about the numbers, but seeing all these people appear is fantastic.”

Sharon Williams, assistant headteacher and organiser of the event, said: “It is exactly how we wanted it to be. It’s perfect and everyone is very excited.”

About 2,000 people were expected at the event, which ran until early evening. Visitors enjoyed meeting old school chums and viewing school memorabilia.

Former headmaster Harry Stennett originally joined Belfairs in 1964 as deputy head, later returning as head of the boys’ school, before overseeing the merger between the boys and girls schools.

He said: “It’s lovely to meet a lot of the old boys and staff. The students have been telling me things about when I was head, which they would never have said at the time.”

Ex-pupils strolled around their old classrooms and had their pictures taken in favourite spots.

Hazel Golding, 49, of Thundersley Grove, Thundersley, left Belfairs in 1979. She said: “It was quite odd, because I remember some part of the buildings, but not others. When we were here it was still a boys’ and a girls’ school. We made it fun, and it’s nice to see it one last time.”

A key handover ceremony tonight will mark the official handover of the keys to the new building. Demolition of the old school buildings will begin in September.

Pictures by: STEVE O'CONNELL