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The hall was lovely and bright. The children were sitting in rows on the floor, wearing blue sweatshirts and grey trousers or skirts. They were very quiet and well-behaved. Some chairs had been placed at the side for us. Angela asked Mum to come out to the front and said she was a very special visitor. Some of the children sitting near me asked me if she was the Queen.

Angela told the children that this lady had come to the school because it was her birthday and asked the children to guess how old she was. "Think about your mums and dads, and think about your grandparents," she said, "and guess how old she is."

one child thinks she might be seven. The next guesses seventeen. A third attempt is 37. Angela reveals her true age and she puts on the Birthday Hat. There are four of these hats ready for children who have had birthdays during the week.

Some of the children have received certificates for achievements during the week. Children who receive an award go to have refreshments and today they can also talk to Mum and ask her questions about what it was like when she was a child at school. We have brought old photographs to show them how children dressed and how they looked.

After the party Angela shows us round the school. We are amazed at how colourful everything is compared with when we were at school, and how much stuff there is around to stimulate the imagination and encourage learning. I start to wonder how it is they all leave school so stupid when they have all these resources. All we had were notebooks and ink we made ourelves out of old soot and socks (and it never did us any harm).

Sadly, it is time to go and we wish Angela a fond farewell. She has been really nice. Mum asks where is the teacher as she has not met her yet. I tell her it is Angela. Mum says she does not look like the teachers she had

Mum is on third row from front, fourth child from left - I know cos it could be me!

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