A PRIMARY school is celebrating 80 years with a huge birthday bash.

East Ward Community Primary School, in Willow Street, will mark the anniversary from 2.30pm on July 12, and past pupils, staff and neighbours are being invited to help celebrate.

Over the afternoon partygoers will have the opportunity to meet up with other past pupils, chat to staff past and present and take a tour to see how much the school has changed.

They will also be able to look at and recreate photographs of the school through the decades, as well as enjoy refreshments and purchase 80th birthday memorabilia.

Current East Ward headteacher, David Waites, said: “Celebrating East Ward’s 80th birthday is an opportunity to bring our community together.

"We are so excited to give our ex-pupils and staff the chance to come back to school and reminisce about times gone by. It’ll be a wonderful celebration."

The school was officially opened on December 29, 1938, by the Mayor of Bury, Councillor W. Hartley — with 243 children on its roll and 7 staff members.

Ahead of the milestone East Ward has uncovered many of the school's logs, which they were required to keep, detailing day-to-day running.

Several notable entries include one war time recording of a quiet day at the school due to a heavy bombing raid in Manchester the previous evening — meaning children were kept at home due to tiredness.

A second for September 16, 1940, detailed an air raid warning and children being escorted to a shelter, since discovered under the school's field.

And another explained that teacher Mr Barrow had not attended school one morning as he had been called up to join the Air Force.

Old punishment books have also been found recording pupils being in trouble for incidents such as having filthy hands, laughing after a warning and laziness.

The logs and books will be on display for ex-pupils to view at the event.

An old school milk bench, formerly housed outside the headteachers office for those in trouble to sit on, will also be on show and available for photographs.

For more information or to RSVP you attendance email jhall.eastward@visionmat.com leaving you name and the year you left East Ward.