A final farewell to an old friend (From Warrington Guardian)

Woolston High School was opened for goodbyes before closure in August

11:27am Friday 6th July 2012 in News

THE doors were opened at Woolston High School to give former pupils, members of staff and the community a chance to say goodbye before its closure in August.

Head teacher Jill Robinson, who has been in charge since 2004, showed guests around the school and swapped memories of her time there.

Children from primary schools in the area were also invited to the open event on June 22 and 23.

They took part in a range of activities including a 1950s style spelling test and a fitness challenge.

Visitors were also able to contribute to archives on the history of the school, which first opened in 1957 as Woolston Secondary School led by head teacher Daniel Doherty until 1977.

Photographs and memorabilia from that era were on show throughout the buildings at Hillock Lane.

A display of how education has changed in 2012 was also on view.

Former pupils then put on a concert in the evening with a range of solo and group performances to bring the curtain down on the last community event to be held there.

The last GCSE exam finished on Friday meaning the school now has no students.

Term officially ends on Friday, July 20, when staff will leave for the summer holidays.

It will be the last time the buildings are used as a traditional high school.

Warrington Borough Council plans to move special needs provision onto the site.

And by 2014 additional buildings will be in place on the playing fields to house free school Kings School Woolston.