A HEADTEACHER is "extremely proud" of the progress her school has made as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
As previously reported, Rucstall Primary School held a 50th anniversary celebration day on Friday, September 27, featuring circus workshops, horses and more.
Throughout the week leading up to the big day, children marked the occasion with a 'celebration dress day' and a special lunch, as well as an 'art day' focused on the swans within the school logo and those found locally at Black Dam Ponds.
Every pupil even received a commemorative pin badge with the special 50 years of Rucstall Primary School logo.
READ MORE: PICTURES: Rucstall Primary School celebrates its 50th anniversary
While the event marked 50 years since the school's conception, staff used the occasion as an opportunity to also celebrate achieving an 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating after an assessment in June.
Ruth Griffiths, headteacher at Rucstall Primary School, told the Gazette: "It has been fantastic to celebrate with so many pupils, past and present, parents and members of the local community who have supported Rucstall over the past 50 years.
"We are extremely proud of Rucstall's recent Ofsted Outstanding achievement, as well as how the school has developed and continued to serve it's pupils over the past 50 years.
The event on September 27 was a festival style celebration featuring circus shows and workshops from Juggling Jake, balloon crafting workshops from Emma's inflatables, go-karts and inflatables, inflatable games, Side Glance - Ascot's Equine Ambassador (Kingsclere), food stalls, a police car and PCSOs from the Basingstoke Station, performers from Basingstoke Music and Arts Festival and an art gallery featuring pieces created earlier in the week by pupils.
It was attended by the mayor of Basingstoke, Cllr Dan Putty, Luke Murphy MP, representatives from Hampshire County Council and others invited by the school - as well as the pupils and parents.
Headteacher Ruth Griffiths added: "Everyone had a fantastic time and the weather stayed dry.
"People enjoyed the activities outside and inside, also enjoying music and learning about the school's history over the past 50 years."
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