SPRINGFIELD Primary has become the latest Trafford school to celebrate its centenary.

Officially opened on June 22 1907, during the reign of Edward VII, staff and pupils at the Sale school are building up to the big day with a year of events to mark 100 years in education, culminating in a two-day spectacular.

Proceedings were kicked off with a special assembly at the start of the year where headteacher Joyce Spencer dressed in Edwardian garb to tell pupils about the school.

Thousands of bulbs have been planted around the gardens ready for spring when it is hoped the flowerbeds will be transformed into a medley of colours.

Throughout the year, various Edwardian themed activities will take place including an old music hall event at Easter and on the actual birthday, children and teachers will be taken back to the turn of the century with costumes, games and old fashioned classes.

As a long lasting reminder of the centenary, a special Springfield history website is under construction, which it is hoped will continue to grow even after the celebrations come to an end.

Mrs Spencer said: "I have really enjoyed it. One of the exciting things is how it's energised the local community. I've had stacks of people coming in with photos and people have been going to the archives in Cheshire to get information from logbooks. It's fascinating."

The current Springfield Road buildings, opened in 1907 as Springfield Council School and were the third school in the area having replaced a smaller school on School Road, which had itself replaced another smaller school.

The existing buildings initially housed 902 children, 300 each in the infant, junior and senior departments, with the separate girls and boys entrance signs still visible on the doors today.

Little has changed in the exterior except the construction of indoor toilets and a small extension at the back as well as the addition of gardens in the 1990s.

lroberts@messengergrp.co.uk