Former pupils and staff gathered to say goodbye to their school.

More than 600 people were at the party and reunion for Senacre Technology College in Sutton Road, Maidstone, to mark the school’s closure.

The party was organised by ex-pupils Sharon Reynolds, Janet Spicer and Carol Hunt.

It included a display of old photographs, log books and school journals.

Miss Reynolds, who was in the class of 1982, said: “It was absolutely fantastic – we were blown away by the response. It was amazing and it couldn’t have gone any better.”

Also attending was Shirley Coffey, caretaker since 1972, who will retire at the end of the summer term.

The evening raised funds for Maidstone Hospital’s special care baby unit.

New Line Learning Academy head teacher Guy Hewett, who taught at Senacre for 16 years, said: “Although the building might be going, the heart and spirit that made Senacre special will be alive and well at New Line Learning Academy.”

Pupils from Senacre have now merged on to the New Line Learning Academy at Boughton Lane in Loose.

Money from the sale of the Senacre site will go towards funding new buildings, while a housing development is set to replace the former school site on Sutton Road.

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