As they walked along the corridors and visited their old classrooms, the memories came flooding back for the former pupils of Codsall Community High School.

The Elliotts Lane school marks its 70th anniversary next year and pupils past and present are working to create an exhibition detailing its proud history. Sixth formers are also putting on a traditional tea dance this month and picked up tips from their visitors about music and decor.

Eric and Ann Reed, of Walton Gardens, Codsall, were two of the guests visiting the school this week.

Mrs Reed, now aged 81, attended the school on the first day it opened its doors. “It was so different back then,” the grandmother-of-one said. “But I loved my school days and cookery was my favourite lesson.” Mrs Reed met her 83-year-old husband when she worked in the local village shop, Stocktons. Mr Reed also used to visit Codsall Community High as a teenager during his time with the Air Training Corps.

Mr Reed, a former Evertidy Kitchens worker, said: “I used to do my physical training at the gym here. I like being back, it’s very nostalgic.

“I remember when the school was being built, I used to come down with my friend and we’d explore. It’s great to be back after all these years.”

The school has applied for a grant from Heritage Lottery Fund to help with the exhibition, which will include old photographs, interviews with former pupils and mock-ups of old classrooms. Sixth form pupil Andrew Burns, aged 17, said the project would bring the generations together. “Codsall High is quite unusual as it was built during the war,” he said. “The visit has been really useful as it’s brought lots of memories back for the former pupils and helped us with our project.

“We’ve been taping their interviews on dictaphones and will be using their interviews in the exhibition.”

The school’s tea dance will take place on April 22.

Former student Joan Plant, aged 77, said it was good idea to bring back traditional events such as tea dances.

Mrs Plant, of Pendrell Close, Codsall, said the school had played a huge part in her life as her six sisters had attended, as did her six children.

The 77-year-old former carer said: “I’ve been coming here since I was 11 and it holds a lot of happy memories. I loved cookery classes back then as it was real cookery.

“This visit is a lovely reminder of my school days.”

* Anyone who can add to the exhibition can call the school on 01902 434200.