The first ever group of students to set foot in Abbeyfield School ten years ago returned to their former classrooms this week to catch up on a decade’s worth of news.

This summer marks the tenth anniversary of the school, and staff invited the first pupils back.

School bursar Linda Stuart said: “When we opened we only had a Year 7 group, and each year we took on another year group.

“That was ten years ago and we invited the first cohort back to meet the first lot of staff.

“Most of them were able to make it and it was lovely to see them and find out what they are doing.”

The students travelled from as far as Milton Keynes and Portsmouth to see their former school friends, most of whom graduated from university this summer.

Mrs Stuart said: “It was particularly special to see them because they are our first lot of students to graduate.

“One of them had their graduation ceremony yesterday morning and then came to see us in the evening.”

Current students are working on a mosaic to celebrate the school’s anniversary.

They enjoyed a barbecue on Tuesday.