Nine decades of first-class education have ended as pupils have received their final lesson at Alton School.

The bell has rung for the last time off Anstey Lane with students, staff and parents from the past and present taking part in a final end-of-term party.

Last Tuesday’s event was a fitting farewell for an institution with a long history and outstanding reputation.

Past pupils got reacquainted with former teachers, while the likes of Sister Helen and the nuns which made the school so special were reunited with ex-students on a day of sadness and joy.

Tears were shed and memories were recalled with Rollercoaster rocking the crowd at the closing celebration.

The school’s closure was announced by trustees in May with a continual decline in pupil numbers, coupled with adverse political and economic factors, being blamed.

Over the coming weeks the Herald intends to run more stories about the school where pupils were taught to be “the best you can be”.