West Kirby Grammar School marked its 100th anniversary with a birthday party to remember at the Thornton Hall Hotel.

Around 300 past and present staff and pupils - who famous names include actress and MP Glenda Jackson, author Shirley Hughes and comedy actress Jan Ravens - enjoyed a glamorous black tie Centenary Ball at the Wirral venue.#

On the following Sunday there was a further celebration, a concert at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall, hosted by old girl Sheila McClennon, presenter of Radio Four’s Woman’s Hour. The concert featured classical music performed by the school’s massed orchestra and choir. Guest musicians included old boy Will Marshall and Jodan Garbutt, a current sixth former and this year’s winner of the Charles Scarratt Award for Wirral’s most promising musicians.

The school which opened in 1913 with 55 girls, two boys and four members of staff has received goodwill messages from across the world. Today the school has around 1,200 pupils.

Photography by Diane Thompson