A VISIT from an MP and a giant 50 marked a Wimborne school’s special anniversary.

It is 50 years since the founding of Hayeswood First School, now part of Initio Learning Trust, and the occasion was marked to celebrate five decades of students passing through the doors.

MP Michael Tomlinson (Con, Mid Dorset and North Poole), the solicitor general, joined pupils for a special assembly, during which a mock parliament voted for an extra week’s holiday.

And later, around 150 youngsters rallied to create a giant number 50 on the sports field, complete with filming by a drone.

Mr Tomlinson said: “Congratulations to Hayeswood on its 50th birthday – it was great to be there to help celebrate.

“We had a mock parliament and the children behaved and contributed very well.”

Around 150 pupils joined together to form a giant 50 on the school field

Executive headteacher, Sharon Staddon, said: “It was really nice of Mr Tomlinson to join us for assembly.

“We showed him the school logbooks from our early days, which are a wonderful social history.

“Mr Tomlinson organised a mock parliament and the children voted for an extra week’s holiday.

“To mark our 50th birthday we spoke a lot about the similarities and differences between 1973 and today.

“Early photos show the trees around the sports field were very small, but now they screen off the school from everything around it.

“Generations now have passed through Hayeswood and we look forward to welcoming many more children in the future.”

Liz West, chief executive officer of Initio Learning Trust, said: “Everyone remembers their first school and there will be lots of people locally who remember their time at Hayeswood.

“The children there now are able to progress through our middle schools and right through to A Levels at QE School in Wimborne.”