A PRIMARY school in Basildon celebrated its 50th birthday with huge back to school party.

Lee Chapel Primary School’s pupils got a big shock on Friday, after their headmistress organised the welcome back party to coincide with the anniversary.

All 440 pupils and 70 staff at the school, in The Knares, Basildon, spent the afternoon entertained by members of the Partyman World. A number of former pupils also joined them.

Susan Jackson, who has been headmistress for 12 years, said: “We are here today, to celebrate both the future and history of our school together.

“This is the very best school in Basildon, and parents support everything we do, so that’s the secret of our success.”

Former pupils said many of them have sent their own children to the school, while several children have come back to work as teachers.

Sophie Palmer, 17, who lives close to the school in Basildon, said she was so upset at having to leave the school as a youngster that her parents moved back to the area.

She said: “My parents moved to Grays when I was ten, so I had to leave Lee Chapel.

“But I was in tears for months. In the end, they decided to move back.”

Karen Ghrib, chairman of the parent, teachers and friends association at the school, praised the headteacher for organising the party.

She said: “Mrs Jackson has put a lot of hard work and planning into this school, so this is a wonderful gift for the children.”

The school held the celebrations in its recently revamped buildings, and specialises in teaching sports and arts.