SCHOOLCHILDREN and staff at a school in Bournemouth have celebrated 130 years of education.

Talbot Heath pupils and their teachers gathered for the momentous occasion on Friday for a special assembly and a day of activities.

The first part of the day saw a special assembly, where a large birthday cake was wheeled down the aisle towards the front. The school then sang Happy Birthday and the candles were blown out.

Children were given a slice of cake to enjoy during the morning break.

A hymn was sang while the children emerged from the hall, singing as they went, to finish the assembly at the lily pond quadrangle.

Staff past and present indulged in a three-course lunch later, with pupils from the upper sixth.

Karen Leahy was the guest speaker for the event.

Part of the event saw pupils and staff raise money to support the community of Dufatanye Nyanza in Rwanda.

Their iPledge saw children bake 130 cupcakes, do 130 hula hoops, and two members of staff cycle 130km, making it back in time for the end of lunch.

Deputy head teacher Cat Stone said: "That's what is so special about it - from our students in year 1 to the year 13s getting involved; all singing Happy Birthday. It's been a wonderful occasion."

First founded in Norwich Avenue by Miss Mary Broad as Bournemouth High School in 1886, today's school - an independent catering for pupils aged three- to 18-years-old - was later renamed Talbot Heath and opened as such in 1935.