A major reunion of students and staff is being held at a school which is closing after 57 years.

Heathcote Secondary School in Stevenage will shut in August in a shake-up of education in the town by Herts County Council, and a reunion is being held to gather as many of its alumni and staff together as possible.

Organiser Cara Matthews said: “To mark this sad event former students and staff and being invited to come along to one of three social events which are being organised at the school. These will be an opportunity to catch up with old school friends and teachers, reminisce over old photographs and bid for selected memorabilia.”

Pupils who left in 2009 or before are invited to an evening reunion on July 6, while those who left in 2010 and 2011 are invited for an afternoon event on June 28.

Former staff should contact the school for details of a staff reunion.

The organisers are calling for any photos or memorabilia from pupils and staff for a display.

Tickets for the pre-2009 reunion are �15 available from the school on 01438 222100 or t.clark@heathcote.herts.sch.uk. All profits will go Garden House Hospice in Letchworth.