Former pupils return for closure of 132-year-old infant school

Former pupils of St Anne's Church in Wales infant school in Roath, Cardiff, are returning this week to say farewell before the bell rings for the last time.

The 132-year-old school is due to close for good at the end of the summer as part of Cardiff Council's school reorganisation plans.

The school is holding an open afternoon on Friday where past pupils, teachers and governors are being invited to see an exhibition of the school's archives.

Two of the oldest surviving pupils are nearly 100 and it is hoped they will be able to make it on the day and help cut the celebratory cake.

The guests include two former pupils who attended the school as children 70 years ago. They became childhood sweethearts and are still married.

St Anne’s Church in Wales Infant School in Roath opened as Crofts Street National School in April 1879.

It became St Anne’s C/W Primary School in 1949 and St Anne’s C/W Infant School in September 1954.

The exhibition will show photographs, log books, certificates, the original plans of the school and additions to it over the years, inspectors’ reports, registers, punishment books, savings campaign certificates from WWII, a record of the centenary celebrations for the school in 1979, community projects and awards to the school.

The school will close at the end of this academic year and a decision about the future of the building will be made by Llandaff Diocese.