Street party marks special birthday

Saturday 24th May 2008, 10:23AM BST.

Shropshire’s largest primary school has celebrated its 70th birthday with a street party.

Pupils and teachers joined in with the fun as Woodside Primary School in Oswestry marked the occasion.

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson and Oswestry Borough Council mayor Betty Gull were also on hand to wish their best.

Yesterday’s party had a 1930s theme to mark the opening of the school in 1938. However, the original building was damaged by a fire in 1986.

The current school building opened its doors in 1988.

The school’s logo of a phoenix rising from the ashes is a reminder of its history.

Woodside is Shropshire’s largest primary school. It has more than 500 pupils and more than 60 full and part-time staff.

Despite its size, the school prides itself on its close relationship with its pupils and parents and in a recent poll, 96 per cent of parents said they would recommend it to other families.

Ofsted inspectors rated the school highly when they visited in 2005.

Headteacher Rob McDevitt said it was a privilege to be at the helm as the school celebrated its 70th birthday. He said: “I am very proud be part of this school community.

“It’s a wonderful school which is part of a brilliant community.”

View more: North Shropshire news.