Over 130 Alumnae and former staff came back to school on Saturday 27 June in celebration of school life in the 1980s. Year groups from every year of the decade and into the early 1990s were represented, and former staff from the 60s, 70s 80s and 90s were also present, together with current school staff.

Visitors arrived via Landor House. Stepping through the blue door to be welcomed by today’s King’s High sixth formers, some arrivals bumped into old friends immediately – in some cases for the first time in over 25 years.

Attendees made their way to the new Sixth Form Centre for welcome drinks and an opportunity to examine school archive materials from the 1980s, including a review of memories of school life submitted by former 80s pupils themselves, in advance of the event.

Before long, the Sixth Form Common Room was full, former pupils had found others from their year groups, and as former staff arrived they were recognised and welcomed immediately by their old pupils.

Visitors then took the opportunity to revisit many old school haunts, including Eastgate, Red House Lawn and Landor Library, prompting reminiscences of various episodes in school life - from sitting Oxbridge entrance exams in Landor Library, to climbing outside to change the clock time on Eastgate!

The Assembly Hall was full to capacity to hear Headmistress Mrs Surber give a welcome speech, during which she thanked attendees for making the effort to support the event, and in particular those who had travelled from as far afield as Australia, France and Switzerland.

After a buffet lunch, a swapping of news, and a sharing of old school photographs, attendees were treated to a recital by talented pupils Rebecca Kane and Eleanor Hedger.

During the afternoon, more tours of the school took place, and as the event drew to a close, visitors departed with the promise to keep in touch more frequently with their old school and former classmates.