Maldon's Plume Academy is reaching out for past students who attended the school since 1970 - in preparation for an exhibition to celebrate its 50th year, held off until now due to the pandemic.

The last year has been etched into everyone's memories for a whole variety of reasons - and this surely includes the start of this academic school year for the new Year 7 students who probably had the most unique transition from primary to secondary school there has ever been - however, there must also have been a strange if not exciting start for Plume's new Year 7 students some 50 years ago as Plume School opened its doors for the very first time as a comprehensive.

This means that Plume Academy is now 50 years old and 2020 was the year of its Golden Anniversary - and the celebrations, of course, have had to be delayed until now.

The school will celebrate this significant landmark by reflecting back on events, characters, and experiences over the last half a century in an exhibition during the last few weeks of the school year in July.

The display (which will be able to be seen at several locations across Maldon) will compliment an evening launch presentation. Dates and times for these will be announced in due course.

A spokesperson for Plume Academy said: "The school is currently working on its archives of the years from 1970 onwards and is now reaching out to as many of the Plume Family and community as possible whilst seeking out memories, photos and any memorabilia of Plume to assist with the planned exhibition project. There are numerous ways to get involved including:

-Photos (which can be dropped off at either of the school receptions with as much identifying information as possible and contact details for return)

-Video, spoken or written memories, all of which should be sent to the school at email: [email protected].

The spokesperson added: "Mr Brian Collen and Mrs Jean Ingram, long-standing and very well-respected members of the Community Team, have worked exceptionally hard on this exciting project to date and would be genuinely delighted to hear from past students."