Remember school days in the 1980s? From big smiles and creative projects to fundraising triumphs, special visitors and proud award winners, these photographs capture the fun, friendships and memorable moments of school life across Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country.
There are classroom activities, history days, community events and plenty of familiar faces among this collection from the decade.
Take a look through the gallery and see who you can spot. Do you recognise a former classmate, teacher - or even yourself? Don’t forget to share your memories in the comments.
- Did you see our gallery capturing businesses and working life in the 1990s? Take a look back through all 45 pictures here.
- You can enjoy this and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country - all sent to your inbox every week. Sign up here.
37. Smiles and success as record number of pupils celebrate royal scheme achievements
Proud award-winners show their appreciation with a big thank you to scheme organiser and maths teacher Mr David Hall (foreground right) outside Streetly Comprehensive School in November 1989. Pupils from the school in Queslett Road East, alongside members of Streetly Youth Club, achieved an impressive total of 63 Bronze and 37 Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards over the year. To earn Silver, participants completed a challenging 30-mile trek over three days in the Peak District and spent time training with local police or fire services. Were you among the record group of award-winners at Streetly Comprehensive School back in November 1989? | Express & Star archive
38. Two by two into church display as pupils complete handcrafted ark
Proudly displaying their finished classroom project, pupils (from left) Scott Boulton, Gary Hunter, Angela Smith, and Karen Mitchell gather around a multi-tiered model of Noah's Ark in June 1986. Complete with toy animals filling the decks and standing on top, the crafted ark was created by youngsters from Bridgtown Junior School to be put on special display at nearby St Barnabas Church in Bridgtown. Do you remember helping build model displays or visiting St Barnabas Church with Bridgtown Junior School back in June 1986? | Express & Star archive
39. Framing the future as keen pupils snap to it during photography workshop
Exposing silver halides to light and getting to grips with camera technique, 11-year-old Lavina Gentles (left) and 12-year-old Nicola Maxwell, both from Pelsall, pose with their cameras in May 1987. The pair were taking part in an engaging hands-on photographic workshop held at Shelfield Community School in Walsall, learning the ins and outs of 35mm photography and image development. Do you remember taking part in photography workshops or developing your own prints at Shelfield Community School in the 1980s? | Express & Star archive
40. Hands-on fundraising as school trio launch sponsored nail-growing challenge
Covering their mouths and showing off their hands are Middleway Middle School pupils (from left) Hayley Duke (12), Donna Buckley (10), and Amanda Frampton (11) in May 1989. The three friends, all living on Wolseley Road, took on a sponsored 12-week nail-growing challenge to raise funds for the Staffordshire ambulance service's £500,000 equipment drive. The novel idea came from Hayley's mother Kate, a control assistant for the ambulance service, who thought it would be a constructive way to help Hayley break a nail-biting habit while supporting a deserving local cause. Do you remember taking part in unusual sponsored challenges during your school days in May 1989? | Express & Star archive