Pupils at St Peter’s School in Marlborough have written to the Gazette appealing for information for an exhibition next month celebrating the school’s 50th birthday.

A foundation stone outside the front of the building at the junction of The Parade with London Road reveals that education has been taking place on the site since 1214, when St John Baptist’s Hospital was opened there.

This operated until 1548, providing a place of learning until the foundation of the Royal Free Grammar School that ran on the site from 1550–1899.

Today’s red-brick building was erected for the grammar school in 1904.

After the grammar school moved to its new building in Orchard Road in 1962, St Peter’s – which had previously been in the High Street building in what is now the town library – took over the premises in The Parade in October that year.

The school is planning to celebrate its half-century in style with a big party for the children and staff and an exhibition about its history over the last 50 years.

Twenty-six children in Years 3 and 4 have written to the Gazette & Herald to ask if any former pupils, teachers or governors have any photographs or documents relating to life in St Peter’s over the last 50 years.

They are asking anyone who has pictures or paperwork, including old school reports from the last 50 years, to either drop it in at the school office or ring (01672) 513158 to say what they have got.

Year 3 pupil Lily wrote: “Children, parents, grandparents, teachers and governors please come and visit the school.

“If you can please bring in any videos, photos and books. Please come and show us where your classroom was.”

Amelia topped her letter by saying “This school is great” and went on to ask: “Please may you tell us if you were allowed a packed lunch? Were the teachers nice in the school?”

Bobby Carter (Year 3) wrote: “Can you come and tell us what it was like 50 years ago? If you can we would appreciate learning more about our school’s history.”