A COMMUNITY school that opened its doors just before the start of the Second World War is marking 80 years with an exploration of its history.

Children at Witney Community Primary School will spend the coming months learning about its rich and varied heritage.

Then, this summer, its young pupils will take a trip back in time for a special themed celebration of the 80th anniversary.

Witney Community Primary School, in Hailey Road, was established on March 28, 1938, just over a year before Britain entered the Second World War.

During wartime the school was closed and the building was used to look after evacuees.

Some, however, believe it may have been used as a hospital throughout the time of the conflict.

Lorraine Martin, an office administrator, has been digging out documents from the past and seeking out information to build a picture of the school in its early years.

She said: “There is a belief that it was built as a hospital – but we have documents that show it was in fact opened as a school.

“We’ve got really odd corridors with a lot of windows so it looks a bit like the hospital ward.

“I’m not ruling it out. It may have been used as a hospital during the war but we’ve had no record of that.

“We do know that it was closed during the Second World War and used by evacuees.”

To mark the special anniversary, youngsters from all the school’s classes will be given lessons on the building’s history.

Staff at the primary school have even enlisted the help of former students to come in and provide insight on how things used to be.

Ms Martin continued: “We found a gentleman in the area who is going to come in and talk to the children about what the school was like in the 1940s and 1950s.

“The children are going to love it. They always enjoy it when somebody comes in and tells them all about the olden days.”

At the end of June, the school will celebrate its anniversary with a special event.

Though planning is still in its early stages, it looks set to be a journey into the early days of the school, with children donning outfits and listening to music from the era.

Ms Martin said: “One of the things we were thinking of doing was holding a tea dance with music from the era.

“Just recently I went on Amazon and found some music from 1938 and I’ve got some pictures of the clothing from that time so the children can have a look.”

Ms Martin, who said children love learning about things like the archaic use of the cane, said digging into the school’s past had uncovered some crueller aspects of education in days gone by, including the school's history of corporal punishment.

She said: “I have found a punishment book from the school that runs from 1939 and 1958 – so that’s been really interesting.”

The celebrations will not be limited to pupils, with staff at the school keen for the community to get involved.

Former students and anyone with any information about the school’s past and its development over the years, whether photographs or documents, are urged to make contact.

To contact the school and contribute to the celebrations simply call the main office on 01993 702388.

Alternatively, get in touch with Ms Martin by email via office.2302@witney.oxon.sch.uk

For more about the school see bit.ly/2CvfBid