EX-PUPILS of a Newport grammar school are invited to attend a school reunion in Bellevue Park tomorrow.

Pupils who attended Newport High School in the 1960s are welcome to come along to the reunion from 10am to 4pm in the park’s conservatory, otherwise known as the Parc Pantry café.

The school has an association with several members that organise reunion events for those who attended the grammar school, who have been organising a variety of events a year since the 1980s.

Julian Payne, 68, who now lives in Letchworth, is part of the association, and has organised half a dozen events, including a yearly meal.

Mr Payne said: “The idea behind the reunions is for people to have fun and people who are attending seem to be coming from all over.

“It’s one of those things that people want. Some people really didn’t like school and didn’t enjoy it but others had a very good time.”

The reunion is open to anyone who remembers Dr Parry Michael, the head master of the grammar school in the 1960s.

Grammar schools are currently one of the hot topics in the press at the moment, as prime minister Theresa May wants to expand grammar schools throughout the UK.

Whereas many people claim the schools are for the elite, Mr Payne said the old Newport High School had many other pupils attending who were from working class backgrounds.

“I was from a working class background and it gave me an opportunity to improve on my education. The school wasn't filled with 'snobbery' at all,” Mr Payne said.

Anyone who attended Newport High School during the 1960s is welcome to come along tomorrow to the event at Bellevue Park, which starts at 10am.