HUNDREDS of people are set to descend on Joseph Rowntree School in York as past pupils and members of the public look round the old school for one last time.

The New Earswick secondary school is bidding a fond farewell to its old premises with a weekend of events being held on Saturday and Sunday January 30 and 31.

The weekend has already been widely advertised through social-networking sites such as Facebook and Friends Reunited and has attracted hundreds of followers.

Elaine Armstrong, an organiser for the event, said: “The response has been mammoth. Already we have about 800 people coming to look around the school.”

The day will compromise of tours of the school at 10am, noon or 2pm on both days, displays and archive material dating back to when the school first opened in the 1940s.

A 1940s café will also be open and a DVD of the school through the ages available to buy. Reunion photographs will be taken.

Following the February half-term, the school will operate a phased return for students to the new £29 million site.

Maggi Wright, head teacher at the school, said: “This event has sparked off an amazing response.

“We’re absolutely delighted that so many people have such fond memories of the school. School plays an important part in everyone’s life.

“It’s fantastic that so many reunions have been organised to coincide with this Last Look Days event.”

Of the new school, Mrs Wright said: “The new flagship school is a superb design, which is the result of a great deal of consultation by all stakeholders.

“It greatly enhances opportunities for teaching and learning as well as being a real asset for the community to use.

“We are so lucky and privileged to be part of this whole project as well as having this fantastic building to enjoy each day.”

In November last year, The Press reported how a time capsule containing a school uniform, a prospectus and dried pasta was buried by Year 11 pupils under a paving slab at the entrance to the new school.

The design of the new building won the Most Versatile Learning Environment in the Building Schools For The Future Awards 2009, and the designers, City of York Council and the school were also nominated in the Innovation In Student Engagement category.

For information or to book your place on the tour, phone the school office on 01904 759911.