PUPILS past and present celebrated the first 20 years of Nailsworth Primary School on Friday.

Former staff, students and their families were invited back to the school for an afternoon of celebrations to mark the two decades since it opened in Forest Green as a one-site school.Before the infants were based in Church Street and the juniors in Northfields Road.

Classroom workshops, a picnic lunch, a fete with a barbecue and sports games were just some of the activities enjoyed by dozens of visitors.

There was also a raffle with a range of wonderful prizes donated by many Nailsworth businesses.

A display of ‘then and now’ photographs covering the last 20 years was displayed at the event for former pupils and staff to reminisce and compare memories.

They were also able to take a look around the school to see what has changed over the years.

Earlier in the day the current students took part in a whole school photograph, class photos, team photos and leavers photos.

Phoenix Playmates nursery, which is based at the school, also joined in the celebrations as it marks 21 years this year.

Former Phoenix children and their families were invited back to see where their education began.

Among those attending the day were three generations of one family who all have connections with the school.

Great-grandmother Wendy Hannis, 62, started there in 1964 when it was Highwood Secondary School.

Two of her children, Melanie and Julie, attended as teenagers before the school became a primary school in 1993 and Melanie's daughter Kaylee started there in 1994.

Now, one of Wendy's grandchildren, Melanie's son Fraiser Hankins, eight, is a pupil there and another grandchild, Lexie Hankins, four, is due to start in September.

Wendy's great-grandchild Leo Drackett, four, is also due to start school this year.

"It was nice to go back and see the classrooms and the hall, it hasn’t changed much since I was there," said Mrs Hannis.