NORTHCHAPEL Primary School is celebrating its 100th birthday and to mark the centenary there were not only special events at the school, but a flower festival at St Michael's Church.

The village primary school was originally a Church of England school, and the St Michael’s and All Angels flower festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 6, 7 and 8) saw no less then 12 displays around the church and the central pillar decorated as a maypole.

Leading up to celebrations, head Helen Coleman took a group to Chichester Records office where they met county archivist Matthew Jones, to do some research on the school’s opening and its history.

She said:“We had a fantastic tour of the back rooms and strong room then spent some time looking at old maps and documents relating to the opening of the school in 1916. Since then we have had lots of photos and documents delivered to school from past pupils and staff which the children have enjoyed looking at.”

With the May 1 centenary falling in the middle of the bank holiday weekend, events took place throughout the following week.

On the Friday, friends of the school, past pupils, staff and governors joined in a celebration evening including a look around the school, with displays of photos and artefacts, before a “toast to the school.”