ONE of Malvern's two state high schools will be celebrating a significant anniversary later this year.

September 2018 will mark the 60th year since Dyson Perrins CE Academy first opened its doors to students.

The school opened on September 11, 1958, with Mr Sydney Bormond as headteacher and 145 students on the roll.

At the time, it was unique as the only secondary school in the county with a chapel incorporated into its design.

The school is named after its benefactor Charles William Dyson Perrins, heir to the Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce company and a notable philanthropist.

The Church of England, under the director of education at the Diocese of Worcester, had earlier put forward a plan to build a new secondary school in the northern part of Malvern.

However, the plan was initially thwarted when the school leaving age was raised; the increased pupil numbers required a school larger than that which the diocese had budgeted for.

Mr Dyson Perrins was approached for support and he agreed to finance the building costs of the school.

He was present for the laying of the foundation stone in 1956, but had died before the school opened its doors.

However, his wife, Frieda Dyson Perrins, continued the family association with the school, helping to build future extensions.

To mark the occasion, the school is planning a number of events, including a 1950s day on Thursday, September 20, with tours and displays of archive material. Anyone wanting to reserve a place on one of the tours is urged to contact the school.

On Saturday, September 22, a 60th anniversary celebration will take place in the main school hall from 7pm to midnight. Tickets for this event will be available from the school shortly.