A Bracknell primary school has celebrated its 40th anniversary with a festival despite the rain.
Hundreds of parents and children joined staff to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Crown Wood Primary School in Opladen Way.
To mark the occasion, the school held a festival featuring music performances from children from the 80s to the 2010s, a DJ and speeches.
Guests enjoyed food, a barbecue, hog roast and an ice cream, with soft drinks being provided by the Crown Wood Community Bar.
The rain on the day failed to dampen spirits, as hundreds gathered to celebrate.
A parent who attended the event, said: “It really was a fantastic evening, despite the weather. So much hard work went it in to the organisation and it was wonderful to see the children performing too.
“It was also so lovely to see so many of the teachers involved with the 40th celebrations and a strong sense of morale within the school team.”
As well as the music and fellowship, a ‘make a birthday cake’ competition was held, where children made ‘cakes’ out of recycled materials.
The celebration was attended by former headteachers Howard Gillings and Antoinette Butler-Willis, former long serving staff members, Gill Greenaway and Carol Stocker, and Councillor Mary Temperton (Labour, Great Hollands), Leader of Bracknell Forest Council on the day of the anniversary on Friday, July 14.
Gerry Barber the acting chair of governors was also present.
The school was opened in January 1983 and was single form entry, with Winifred Howard as its first headteacher.
It then grew with the town, and currently has three classes per year group.
Growth came with building expansion, with an extension completed in 2014 providing 12 classrooms and a larger nursery.
It also has a ‘forest school’ where children can have classes in the forest to connect with nature.
READ MORE: Disappointment for Bracknell school as bid to expand forest activities fails
Reflecting on the anniversary festival, acting co-headteachers, Susan Thomas and Caroline Winchcombe said: “It was fantastic to see so many parents come out in the rain and support the children and staff.
“The children sang, danced and spoke fantastically.
“We would like to thank everyone who helped to make today happen. Everyone demonstrated our school’s values and ‘dared to DREAM’.
“It was definitely an event to remember.”
The school became part of the Greenshaw Learning Turst in 2017, and achieved its first ‘Good’ Ofsted rating in November 2021.
READ MORE: Bracknell primary school celebrates Good OFSTED rating for first time in its history
On behalf of the wider Trust, Grant Strudley said, “Huge congratulations to the children, parents and staff of Crown Wood Primary School on the school’s 40th birthday.
“They are to be commended for putting on such a wonderful event.
“The show of support from parents and the local community, despite the weather, was fantastic to see.
“We are proud to have Crown Wood as one of our family of schools and look forward to seeing what’s next in their history.”
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