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.
33. Top fundraisers deliver generous boost for hospital leukaemia appeal
Top student fundraisers Stephen Lewis (12), Maxine Bagley (14), and Hardeep Bidi (13) hold up two teddy bear mascots and a cheque in November 1986. The trio raised £150 between them as part of a school-wide campaign at The Pensnett School in Tiled House Lane, Dudley, which collected £1,400 through sponsored walks, spells, skating, and computer games. A donation of £500 was presented to Norman Williams to support a £56,000 appeal for germ-free treatment rooms at Russells Hall Hospital. Do you remember taking part in the sponsored activities at The Pensnett School back in November 1986? | Express & Star archive
34. Ringing in a new experience as school group tries out handbells on church steps
Smiling pupils pose outside a magnificent historic church, happily ringing handbells on the stone steps in September 1983. Pictured from left to right are Richard Baskerville, Sharon Gill, Caroline Tennant, Louis Jeffs, Matthew Reid, Sean Keats, Catherine Williams, and Lucy Rollason from St John's Middle School in Featherstone. The youngsters were enjoying an action-packed day at St Peter's Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton as part of the Open Door scheme, which gave local children hands-on experience with church heritage and activities. Did you take part in the Open Door scheme at St Peter's Collegiate Church back in September 1983? | Express & Star archive
35. Prickly visitor brings smiles to local classroom
Delighted schoolchildren get up close and personal with a very special hand-crafted guest in May 1986. Pictured from left are pupils Craig Dugmore, Harjinder Ram, and Mark Harris sharing a cheek-to-cheek photo with Mrs Hedgehog, a charming puppet created by Penny Unsworthe (right). The creative demonstration brought storytelling to life for the children at Little London Infants School in Willenhall as they learned all about puppet-making and performance. Do you remember meeting Mrs Hedgehog or taking part in puppet workshops at Little London Infants School back in May 1986? | Express & Star archive
36. Innovative sponsorship deal gets happy youngsters on the road in style
Framed in the window on their way to a swimming lesson in October 1989 are Jenny Smith (seven) and Gary Harris (eight), while classmates Dean Nash (seven), Sally Perry (seven), Alastair Sherry (eight), and Lucy Greenfield (seven) gather alongside their shiny new transport. The 12-seater vehicle was provided to Chadsmead Junior School in Lichfield through a unique agreement with local dealers Lichfield Motors - thought to be the first deal of its kind in Staffordshire - allowing free term-time use for educational trips and sports events. Did you ever go on a trip in the Chadsmead Junior School minibus after this landmark deal was struck? | Express & Star archive