Todmorden CE J, I & N School stepped back in time on Friday, October 10, as the school marked its 180th anniversary with a joyful and educational day themed around its founding year, 1845.
The children of the school dressed in traditional Victorian clothing for the day, including flat caps, pinafores, lace-up boots, and even some chimney-sweep smudges among the younger pupils, adding colour to ‘1845 Day.’
Headteachers Alice Leadbitter and Abi Welsh said: “It’s been an incredible celebration of the school’s long and proud history.
“The children were absolutely thrilled to take part, and it was wonderful to see the past come to life through their eyes.”
After a traditional Victorian worship, former pupils were welcomed back for tours of the school, rekindling memories and sharing stories with staff and students.
One alumnus, who attended in the 1950s, remarked: “So much has changed – and yet, the spirit of the school remains the same.”
The children shared a 180th birthday cake as part of their school dinner and students contributed to a time capsule, filled with artwork, writing, letters, and photographs that tell the story of the school as it stands today.
Inside the school hall, an exhibition of old photographs and archives drew wide interest from parents, many who were past pupils.
Decades of class photos, handwritten registers, and newspaper clippings told the story of a school that has stood at the heart of the community for nearly two centuries.
Parents, pupils, staff, and visitors alike left with a sense of pride and connection, having honoured the legacy of 180 years in a meaningful, memorable way.
Ian Lewis, teacher at the school, said: “This was more than a celebration; it was a chance for everyone – past and present – to reflect on where we’ve come from, and where we’re going.”