Back to school; Celebrating 100 year birthday with exhibition of rich history.

Byline: By NICOLA JUNCAR Education Reporter

IF WALLS really do have ears, then one North East school must have heard countless stories in its time.

East Hartford Special School, in Northumberland, has lived through two World Wars, the Queen's Coronation and has seen fashions come and go.

This year, the school in East Hartford, near Cramlington, turns 100 years old and its pupils and teachers are determined to throw the biggest party in its history.

Headteacher Hugh Steele, has plans to stage an exhibition of old photographs of the building, and the pupils will be getting dressed up in fashion trends from the different decades.

The school also hopes to throw a traditional street party for the whole community.

But before the plans can leave the drawing board, Mr Steele says the school needs more stories, pictures and items of memorabilia to get the ball rolling.

That's why the school, in Scott Street, is holding an open evening next week for expupils, former teachers, governors and residents in the surrounding community.

Mr Steele, who has been the headteacher for four years, said: "We'd love to hear from anyone who has been involved with the school, or those who live nearby.

"We want to involve our pupils in putting together a collection of pictures for a display, but it would also be great to be able to piece together the school's history.

We'd especially like to hear from anyone who could shed any light on the school's involvement during notable events like end of the World Wars, as I'd imagine the school would have marked these occasions with a celebration."

A lot has happened to the school during its 100 years.

When it opened in 1909, it was a mainstream school which was attended primarily by children from the East Hartford area.

It was only 20 years ago that it became a special school, catering for primary-age children with a range of diverse and complex learning difficulties.

It now has around 40 pupils who come from as far afield as Alnwick, Belford and Hexham.

The school's centenary celebrations will run after the Easter holidays.

The open evening will take place on Thursday, February 12, from 5pm.

If you would like to get in touch, send an email to [e-mail] or call [phone].

THAT WAS 1909

Unemployment stood at 698,000, 7.7% of the working population.

A manual worker earned 23 shillings a week, with a dozen eggs costing a shilling, a pound of butter 1s2d and a pint of beer two shillings.

168 men and boys were killed in a pit disaster in West Stanley, County Durham.

Louis Bleriot became the first man to fly across the English Channel, completing the 22-mile journey from Calais to Dover in 37 minutes.

The first rugby football match to be played at Twickenham Stadium was won by Harlequins.

Manchester United won the FA Cup for the first time, beating Bristol City 1-0.

British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton discovered the south magnetic pole.

CAPTION(S):

HANGING AROUND: Thomas Smith, eight, of Cramlington PICTURES: LEANNE HOLCROFT www.chroniclelive.co.uk/buyaphoto ref: 01411139; OLD AND NEW: Left, the lads and lasses of 1956. Right, East Hartford pupils Callum Jefferson, Naomi Mitchell and Callum Willcox; MEALTIME MEMORIES: East Hartford dinner ladies