A RURAL school that was school saved from closure following a community campaign has celebrated its 140th anniversary.

Rookhope Primary School in Weardale and Forest-of-Teesdale Primary School in Teesdale were both threatened with closure by Durham County Council due to falling pupil numbers.

Both communities launched fierce campaigns to save their schools and in May an alternative solution was announced which allowed the two schools and nearby St John’s Primary Chapel Primary School to continue with a shared headteacher.

Yesterday (Tuesday, July 19), Rookhope staff, pupils and governors, past and present, came together to celebrate the school’s 140th anniversary at the year six leavers’ ceremony.

Parents watched with pride as current pupils sang songs and delivered readings about their fondest memories of the school. Refreshments were then served and visitors shared their own stories about school life and looked at old photographs and documents, including a punishment book spanning from the 1920s to 1980s.

Headteacher Ian Carroll said: “It’s wonderful to still be here to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the school and to bring together different generations of pupils and teachers.”