Brampton Primary School in East Ham, is 100 years old, opening in June 1915 during the First World War, the school has provided an education foundation for generations of East Ham children ever since, even staying open during the Second World War.

On Saturday the school is opening its doors to welcome in the local community and former pupils, parents, staff and governors to celebrate the school’s birthday and achievement across the years.

Over the years the school has become a boy’s school, a senior girl’s school, a secondary modern, separate mixed infant and junior schools and now a primary school with nursery. It has grown from a small school of less than a 100 pupils to teaching nearly a 1000 pupils today.

Brampton’s most famous alumni is Dame Vera Lynn DBE LLD M.MUS who attended Brampton in the 1920’s. Dame Vera still has fond memories of Brampton. She recalls “I remember very well my days at Brampton Primary School, which were very happy days. I was picked to sing because when I sang, I opened my mouth and enunciated the words clearly.” Dame Vera has sent a welcoming message for Saturday’s celebration. Alongside Dame Vera there have been many other alumni across all walks of life and professions. Messages have been received from chief executives, managing directors, barristers, lawyers, headteachers, children’s authors, sports stars and many more all of whom remain grateful for the start that Brampton gave to them. Again many of them will be joining in the celebrations on Saturday.

Brampton has been a rock to the local community – ever present through the two World Wars, the depression years, the Cold War years, the Swinging Sixties, the Nineties and the Millennium into the 21st century, providing a constant beacon to the ever changing communities around it.

As Brampton celebrates its first centenary and looks ahead, we wish it every strength in continuing to offer the education future generations of East Ham children deserve and the rock all communities need.

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