On June 5, 1970, part of the £1million Sunderland building was left in smouldering ruins after a fire.
Flames ripped through the top floor of a science, art and commerce block at Thornhill School.
Yet somehow, two thirds of the block were back in use by the time pupils returned after the six weeks holidays.
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1. Linda's memories
“I remember getting sent home and my mam not believing there was a fire at the school": Linda Slater. | se
2. Back in the car
“Remember it well. Me and my best friend Mark Byrne jumped back into his mams car and off we went": Stephen Wardle. | se
3. 'My wonderful uncle'
That fireman in the photo is my wonderful Uncle Jack Stubbs": Carol Fulton. | se
4. 'Mother's slight disbelief'
“I remember my sister coming home on the morning saying the school had been on fire and they got sent home. I remember my Mother's slight disbelief at first because in those days there was no Internet or mobiles to communicate such things.": Lesley Cheal. | se