Their last school bell may have rung more than 30 years ago, but the school leavers of 1983 and 1985 have found themselves back in the classroom once again.

Thetford & Brandon Times: STAFF - The class of 1983/85 back in their school days. picture SABRINA JOHNSONSTAFF - The class of 1983/85 back in their school days. picture SABRINA JOHNSON (Image: Archant)

On Saturday, July 1, around 20 former pupils from Fulmerston School, which later became Thetford Grammar School, then Stainforth School, then Charles Burrell High School and is now the Charles Burrell Centre, came together at Thetford Grammer School to reminisce and catch-up on old times.

Organised by Lorraine Campbell, a former pupil of Fulmerston School, the event on Saturday, July 1 was inspired by the milestone 50th birthday the cohort will all be celebrating this year.

She said: “I decided to set up the reunion of my old school friends because this academic year is a milestone with us all turning 50.”

Ms Campbell who left school in 1985 to train to become a teacher found the reunion quite an emotional event,

Thetford & Brandon Times: STAFF - Lorraine Campbell proving she can stil fit into her old grammer school blazer. picture: SABRINA JOHNSONSTAFF - Lorraine Campbell proving she can stil fit into her old grammer school blazer. picture: SABRINA JOHNSON (Image: Archant)

She said: “I’m welling up, it’s absolutely fantastic to have everyone here.”

Former pupils travelled from far and wide to catch-up with classmates, but none quite as far as Martin Nash, who travelled with his family from Washington DC in the USA.

After leaving school, Mr Nash joined the Royal Navy and now works in cyber security in America.

He said: “It’s weird to be back and a bit surreal.

Remembering his schooldays he added: “For me grammer school was lots of smart people and I feel like I struggled a bit but it set me in good stead for the rest of my life.”

Welcoming the former pupils back to the school was the current head of Thetford Grammer, Mark Bedford, who said: “It’s a lovely event, Lorraine and I have been talking about this for so long and it’s finally happened.”

Other former pupils at the reunion included Gale Raeburn (nee Friend) and her twin sister Dawn Fenton, who said; “My school days were the best but at that age you don’t realise, I loved it here.”

Jane Kabey (nee Taylor), said: “It’s lovely, no-one has changed. The school just feels really small but it still smells the same.”

The former pupils were also welcomed by the current head boy and deputy head girl before being given a tour around the school grounds later followed by celebrations in the evening.