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Pupils celebrate school's 200th birthday

Charlie Jones
BBC News, Essex
BBC Siena and Alazar sit on some wooden decking with a pond in front of them. They are both smiling wearing white shirts, ties and grey shorts.BBC
Sienna, pictured with Alazar, said she hoped children would be inspired by her school's rich history

Pupils have been taking pride in their school history in the year it celebrates its 200th anniversary.

Dedham Church of England Primary School, in Essex but close to the Suffolk border, was founded in 1825.

The children have become pen pals with students at schools in Dedham, Massachusetts, to mark the occasion.

Sienna from class six said it was an "unimaginable feeling" to be part of the celebrations.

"It makes me proud to be part of a school with so much rich history. I hope it keeps inspiring children for hundreds of years," she said.

Myla and Lily sat at a table drawing portraits. There are print out photos, and their coloured drawings, on the table. They are in green uniform.
Myla and Lily from class four drew portraits of other pupils as part of the celebrations

Edward Betts put down some money in 1825 for a school in the village to help "educate the poor", according to historical documents.

It was originally built in School Lane in the village but a new building was opened in Parson's Field in 1973, where pupils still attend today.

Dedham Parish Council Pupils wearing traditional 20th Century clothes in a black and white photo. There are at least 30 children in the image, with a brick wall behind them.Dedham Parish Council
Pupils have been looking at old photos of the school, including this one from 1915

The school has had a pond installed as part of the anniversary.

Students have also been drawing portraits of each other, which are being exhibited in the village.

In the autumn, they will be completing 200 laps of their school field.

A letter from a pupil from the US town of Dedham. It is written on yellow paper with various photos, and begins "Dear Ms Chamberlaines' Class"
Pupils at Dedham have been very excited to receive their letters, the school said

Head teacher Gemma Chester said it had been a very special year for the school, which tries to keep Mr Bett's founding principle at the heart of what they did.

"As part of our work on learning about the history of our school and our work with the local community, our children have developed a strong sense of what it means to go to Dedham primary and can place their experience in relation to the past and their own personal experiences," she added.

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