SWING dancing, fedoras and classic cars made for a 1940s theme at Prior Park Prep School to mark 70 academic years since it opened.

Students, staff and pupils joined in the celebrations at the school, which was known as Manor House when it first opened.

At the time the land was comprised of vegetable gardens, greenhouses, an orchard and land suitable for playing fields. The house originally could accommodate 62 boarding boys. Seventy years on, and the school has over 200 pupils and aims to expand further. The current site comprises gymnasium, swimming pool, sports field, astro turf, barked play area, wildlife area and our buildings include our own chapel, science labs and new Creative Design and Technology suite due to open this September.

The vintage-style ball was complete with classic cars (loaned by Bassett Classics), bunting, wild flowers, union flags, sand bag bar and swing dancers. The guests were all attired beautifully.

Gentlemen arrived in black tie, top hat and tails, two tone shoes, braces and fedoras. Ladies dressed glamorously with their hair in Victory rolls, wearing pearls and the obligatory seamed stockings.

The food was also themed. Seated at three long tables, around 100 guests enjoyed a meal starting with a Spam and corned beef platter; followed by Pieminister pies, mash and mushy peas and strawberry tarts or gateaux for desert. After dinner, tea was served in traditional floral china tea cups with saucers. When The Mid West Big Band struck up, dancing opened with a swing routine from the Year 8 pupils, followed by a performance from Swing Out Swindon dancers.