While Hitler and Chamberlain were facing off in far away Bavaria, 20-year-old Connie was settling in to life at one of Sheffield's most modern primaries.

Seventy years on Connie is still going strong - but for Shirecliffe it's the end of the road.

The primary closes at the end of this term, merging with the neighbouring Watermead and Busk Meadows schools to create the brand new Watercliffe Meadow in September.

Connie, aged 90, was a special guest at an open day celebrating Shirecliffe's life and times, which attracted a host of ex-pupils and former members of staff - including several members of Connie's first class.

"There was talk that the new school would be turned into a hospital if war did break out that autumn," Connie recalled.

"But we moved in and the school was beautiful, brand new and lovely. It was officially opened in January 1939, the following term.

"My first job when I got there was doling out the gas masks. Later we had a barrage balloon. There was a feeling of crisis in the air but the children were lovely, they took part in all the air raid drills and never panicked."

One of Connie's original pupils was Jean Ward, then Hessey, who is now 73.

"It's marvellous to see her again after all this time. She was so smart in those days, with her smock and black tie and her black hair," Jean said.

Also sharing memories was Mary Evans, then Finney, who came to Shirecliffe in January 1939 and was later crowned as the school's first May Queen.

"In the quadrangle in the centre of the school there was a lovely lily pond, which isn't here any more. My own children came here too so I've always felt close to it," she added.

Three generations of one family were at the open day - gran Jean Bamford, mum Carol Ridley and her son, current pupil Joe Ridley, 11.

"I will miss the old school a bit," said Joe, "but we've all helped with ideas about what the new school should be like.

"We wanted a few football pitches, a bigger gym and a place for our rabbits to live. I'll be going to Parkwood in September so I do feel I've missed out in some ways."

Current Shirecliffe head Linda Kingdon, who will also be in charge of the new school when it opens, said the atmosphere at the moment was sad and happy at the same time.

"There will be tears on the last day I'm sure, but there's also huge excitement about where we are going," she said.

"The huge number of people who've come here to say goodbye shows what a well respected school this is - many have kept wonderful items of memorabilia of their times here all down the years.

"But Shirecliffe as a school has had its day, it is a tired building now and it's time to move on.

"The children have seen photos of the new school which produced gasps of awe and wonder - they are very much looking ahead."