IT IS the Hampshire school which is celebrating it's fiftieth anniversary.

The Mountbatten School in Whitenap Lane has more than 1,400 pupils who are all set to take part in a number of birthday celebrations throughout the year.

All of the students will receive a fiftieth birthday badge that they can wear to school, and they will attend a service at Romsey Abbey on June 27.

An alumni event will also take place on June 28 where guests will be able to enjoy a hog roast, marquee and DJ.

The school which first opened its doors in 1969 became an academy in 2011 and Chris Cox, the associate headteacher said that the school has gone through a "significant number of changes" in the past eight years.

The school have had six refurbishing projects thanks to external bids.

Chris said: "Two thirds of the school has been upgraded."

This includes a new dance suite, refurbished science block and PE changing rooms as well as a newly built maths and languages block.

Chris added: "The physical state of the school is the best it has ever been.

"It's great we now have a dedicated facility for our GCSE dance students."

Chris said the school are "highly focused on music, drama and sport."

He added: "We have always had good academic results but we want to create well rounded citizens who are healthy and creative."

The school has an annual production and also employs a house system to encourage competition.

As well as this, Chris added: "We want to ensure our pupils become world citizens

"We have strong links to schools in India and China and we also focus on teaching our students about the environment."

Chris, who joined the school as deputy head in 2005 and became associate headteacher in 2014 said: "The school has a lovely ethos as it combines tradition and heritage with a modern outlook.

"I love coming to work here."