Former pupils visited Myton School's 40th anniversary presentation on Friday, where they had a chance to tour the school, see an exhibition of photographs, look at a new learning and resource centre - and meet their former teachers.

The school's founding headteacher Maurice Franks was invited to open the new resource centre and plant a tree on the school field. When Mr Franks started at the school it was the Oken High School for Boys, and during his first summer off he oversaw the merge with neighbouring Beauchamp High School for Girls.

He was determined that even though his pupils had 'failed' the eleven-plus, they would benefit from the same chances as those in 'comprehensive' schools.

Forty years on, with Oxbridge successes, Olympic medallists and prominent academics among past pupils, he feels justified in his faith.

He said: "Myton has progressed enormously and built on the foundations of earlier years. It must be one of the finest schools of its kind in the country.

"It was a great honour and privilege to be invited back. I felt very moved by the occasion."

Two of the former pupils returning were Darin Tudor and his partner Julia Harrison who sat in the same geography class together 30 years ago.

Mr Tudor said: "It was like going back in time. All the memories came flooding back for us both. They have spent a considerable sum on new buildings but the fabric of the school hasn't changed a bit."

Mr Tudor, now a managing director, remembers mornings in which teachers checked the length of pupils' hair as they filed into assembly.

He credits much of his success on discipline learned during his time at Myton. Mr Tudor added: "We were all in awe of Mr Franks as a headmaster.

"As Myton students in the late 1970s we were very proud of going to that school. It had a very high reputation and good sense of social responsibility."