A REPRIEVED village school is going public.

Mosley Common St John's primary is following up a successful Victorian Day staged earlier this month with an open day on Saturday, May 10.

Old photographs, school registers and maps have been incorporated in a local history week display arranged by former dinner lady Sylvia Taziker and her daughter, ex-pupil Andrea.

Sylvia said that last year, when it was feared the school was going to close, she decided to organise a Victorian Day after seeing a similar event on television. People contributed so much material the decision was made to organise a separate exhibition.

Registers from the 1890s will be on show at the school which started off as a Sunday school in 1822. Church records and contributed material on Chaddock Hall, Garrett Hall, and the village pit will capture viewers' interest.

Sylvia said: "The Victorian Day was a great success with former head teacher Geoff Swift returning to give old time classes to the children.

"Pupils from the 1920s came in to talk about what life was like in their day and the thank you letters I received showed the children enjoyed drill most of all.

"I am delighted the school and pre-school nursery was saved from closure.

"Now we want as many old pupils and other people as possible to come to see the exhibition between 10am and 4pm."