The fascinating history of a village primary school is being told by its pupils in a project capturing the interest of the whole community.

Blackrod Primary School's young historians are exploring the last five decades of the school - 1940s to the 1990s -they attend after successfully bidding for £10,000 funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

‘Blackrod Remembered,’ has brought together 25 young historians aged seven to 11 - known as the ‘Heritage Hunters’, who have been working closely with community members, past pupils, teachers and governors to uncover and record a wealth of stories and memories linked to the school’s past since the 1940s.

Children, at the Ofsted graded outstanding school, have viewed local archives with a historian and have recorded oral histories from visitors to the school.

They have focused their learning on the education at the school, past uniforms, technology, punishment, school trips and dinners.

Together with the children, community members have helped to capture the essence of what has made the school a cornerstone of the community over the years.

The project is designed to educate the young people about the school’s rich heritage and to strengthen the sense of community belonging.

It highlights the significant role that Blackrod Primary School played in the local community since it opened as a senior school in 1939 before it became a primary school in the 1960's.

It is the first time the school's rich heritage has been explored.

Blackrod was once a major coal mining centre with most of the working male population employed in the pits.

However, at the time of the depression in the 1930s, many collieries closed.

Scot Lane Colliery employed 700 miners but closed in 1932, bringing hardship.

The children found out about life after the depression and throughout World War II.

Many educated at the school during the period studied continue to live in the local community, with their children also having attended and many grandchildren continuing to do so to the present day.

The project is set to culminate in an exhibition, which will show the results of the children’s hard work including sharing photographs, artefacts and personal accounts through oral histories.

Suzanne Hartop, volunteer said: “It has been an absolute joy and privilege to engage with such a wonderful group of highly interested children.

"On their quest as Heritage Hunters, they unearthed the development of their school since it began in 1939, understanding the social history of its locality.

"I was challenged, with pertinent questions, to recall my fond time at the then Blackrod County Primary School from 1972-1979.

"I have a real family connection to the school, with my late father, Frank Woods, being Chair of Governors for many years.

"My mother also taught on a temporary basis at the school and my daughter attended 2009-2016. Well done to all concerned on such a terrific effort. It has clearly been a very informative project but enjoyable too.”

Ian Dryburgh, former headteacher at Blackrod Primary School and now a volunteer on the project, added:“Being a part of this project has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Seeing the children’s excitement as they uncover the stories of their school’s past has been truly inspiring. So many people from across the community have given their time to share the most fantastic memories of life in the school. This project is a powerful reminder of how history can connect us all, bridging generations and strengthening our community. I feel honoured to have contributed.”