FORMER pupils and teachers of a 150-year-old village school have been invited to take a trip down memory lane before the school closes for good next month.

A reunion party is being held at St Mary's Church of England School to reminisce on 15 decades of history.

Education chiefs decided to close the Steeple Ashton school earlier this year because of falling pupil numbers.

The school's eight pupils will take part in a final church assembly on April 1, with their last school day on April 2.

School governor Sarah Content said she wanted the farewell party to be a happy occasion.

"We definitely want it to be more of a celebration to reflect on the school and remember all of the happy times.

"It will be really nice to meet old teachers and pupils.

"Hopefully everyone will have a good old knees-up in the evening."

Mrs Content, who moved her two children from the school when cutbacks in pupil numbers first began, said the impending closure had affected her greatly.

"I have been a governor for three years which is long enough for the school to sit very deeply in my heart and my children's hearts," she said.

"Taking my children out of the school was one of the hardest decisions of my life. It wasn't something I wanted to do.

"The thing about St Mary's is it has always had this loving, family atmosphere.

"It was like taking my children from home to home."

The school's eight pupils have been prepared for the move, with their attitude towards the change impressing teachers and governors.

"Those pupils remaining have absolutely blossomed this term and have really turned into independent learners," Mrs Content said.

"It could have been very unsettling for the pupils but it has worked out really well, which is down to the dedication of the staff."

The reunion party will be held at the school on March 27.

Old photographs and school records will be on show from 2pm to 5pm with a farewell party from 7pm to 10.30pm, featuring a live Irish band and a full Ploughman's supper.

There are 150 tickets available costing £1.50 each and they can be purchased by calling the school office on (01380) 870493.