SIXTY years ago children in Thornhill sat in brand new classrooms as their infant and junior school was opened.

In a ceremony presided over by then Mayor Dicks and Mrs Thorneycroft Donaldson the youngsters were the first generation to enjoy the new school which has since turned into Thornhill Primary School.

Now teachers have spent the first weeks of term teaching this generation about rock and roll, records and the pop art of the era.

But children were also surprised to learn that when their school was being built children their age were still living on rations after World War II.

And head teacher Kerry Stamp - who has been at the school for eight years - said the children have also enjoyed learning how to lindy hop and do country dancing - as well as dressing up for a street party with music in the playground to celebrate the anniversary.

She said: “We’ve been really impressed with the costumes today - parents have gone all out with the kids’ outfits.”

But Ms Stamp is also celebrating maintaining the school’s Ofsted rating of ‘good’ after inspectors visited earlier this year. Inspectors said the school has “significantly improved” since the last visit.