One of Bradford's oldest schools is appealing to former pupils to help piece together its history.

Usher Street School in Bowling wants to mark the millennium - and its conversion to a primary school - with a colourful 10ft mural. The artwork, in the entrance hall, will trace the school's story from its inception in 1879 to the present.

The school has lived through two World Wars but staff know very little about life there through the century.

Headteacher Ros Stansfield said: "We wanted to do this because it's the year 2000 and we are changing to a primary school under the reorganisation.

"We do know Usher Street was one of the first schools in the city to introduce free school meals.

"We also know there used to be a choir here that attracted people from all over the place. We have a plaque commemorating some award they got. Somewhere, we also have a list of people who died in the Second World War."

The mural will be designed and created by classroom assistant Sue Garforth, with help from the children.

"We would like the mural to depict the school's history from the day it was founded up to modern times," she said.

"I'm sure there will be many Telegraph & Argus readers who came to Usher Street, and have memories, fond or otherwise, of the place. I need old photos and memories of past students and teachers. People may remember the choir."

The school was built in 1879, superseding the old Essex Road Board School which had been in existence since 1873.

One of the first headteachers was Miss Mabel Alice Abbs, in charge from 1892 until 1928. In the early part of the century, the school was used to look after children with special needs. Later, in the 1960s, the school was the headquarters of the West Riding Youth Theatre.

Anyone with useful information about Usher Street's history can contact Sue Garforth on (01274) 723255.

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