A POOLE church secondary school and sixth form has celebrated its 60th anniversary.

St Edward’s Roman Catholic and Church of England School marked the occasion with a ceremony begun by the school choir, singing Cesar Franck’s Panis Angelicus, which was sung at the opening of the school.

The ceremony, on Friday, September 8, featured students presenting important items from the school’s journey, in the presence of former governors and headteachers.

Bournemouth Echo: St Edward's RC and CofE School celebrated its 60th anniversary.

This included the minutes from the first governors meeting and a newly commissioned icon of St Edward the Martyr.

Bishop Stephen Lake, the newly appointed Bishop of Salisbury, led the celebrations, in his first visit to the school.

He was joined by Bishop Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne and Canon Mark O’Keefe, representing the Diocese of Plymouth.

Bournemouth Echo: St Edward's RC and CofE School celebrated its 60th anniversary.

The school began as a Catholic school in 1963, before it became a collaboration with the Church of England in 1991, becoming a unique joint Catholic and Anglican school.

Executive Headteacher Mr Michael Antram said: “In this place where over 1,000 students gather each day, stories are shared, and lives are changed.

“It was an honour to have with us do many people who have nurtured the unique ethos and culture of St Edward’s that today’s students enjoy.

“On behalf of our school community, I thank them, and we now look forward to the next chapter of success in the work of St Edward’s school.”