Sanders Draper School celebrates 75th anniversary by stepping back in time

Students and teachers took a step back in time to dress up in costumes from the last 75 years.

Teachers and students in costume at Sanders Draper School - Credit: Archant

They dressed up in clothes from when the school opened to the present day to mark Sanders Draper School’s anniversary celebrations.

Teachers in costume at Sanders Draper School - Credit: Archant

The school, in Suttons Lane, Hornchurch, was originally called Suttons Senior School. Five years after it opened Flying Officer Raimund Sanders Draper, 29, deliberately crashed his out-of-control Spitfire before it hit the school, saving more than 600 youngsters. It was later renamed in his memory.

Last Friday staff took inspiration from hippies and the Pink Ladies in Grease, while some students sported 1940s-inspired hairstyles and outfits.

Headteacher John McEachern said: “It was wonderful to see how creative the staff and students were in their costumes.

“There were hippies, land girls, aliens and leg warmers everywhere! The students were also taught about important educational events that took place in the different decades in the last 75 years and in science they carried out DNA experiments to celebrate its discovery in the 1950s.

“The whole school had a real buzz about it and it was an excellent start to our celebrations for the 75th anniversary.”