CHILDREN and staff at a Stockton primary school are stepping back in time today to celebrate the school's 125th anniversary.

Hartburn Primary School first opened its doors on January 12, 1877, and pupils and staff will turn up for lessons dressed as famous people and in costumes marking moments in history throughout the last 125 years.

The school started life in Hartburn Village with just 30 pupils. It moved to its present site in Adelaide Grove in 1911 and now has 536 children on the register.

Head teacher Tom Gittins said yesterday: "We timed the celebration for this month because we didn't want it to get mixed up with the Queen's golden jubilee.

"The day has been planned for five or six months now and we let parents know towards the end of last year. Now we are just waiting to see how everyone turns up."

Mr Gittins is joining in the fun by dressing up as Elvis Presley, complete with black and gold jumpsuit, wig, chest wig and dark glasses.

"I know a few of the children are coming as Elvis as well," he said, "so we might have a band."

He added: "We've got kings and queens, Victorian schoolteachers and children from the wars, but a lot of them are keeping their costumes secret, so it will be an interesting day."

Pupils have been studying the history of the school all week, including visits to the former site and looking through the old log books.

Mr Gittins said: "As well as bringing a bit of fun back into the curriculum, it is giving the children a sense of belonging to the school and a sense of history of the place they are in.