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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5. 'We were promptly turned back at the gate'
"“I remember walking down Ashwood Terrace to school with friends when we saw the big extending ladder and I joked ‘I wonder if that’s the school’. “Alas it was and we were promptly turned back at the gate and told to go home.” Brian Hurst. | se
6. The smell of smoke lingered
“The Science block was burnt down, I was attending it at the time. Even after it was rebuilt it smelt of smoke for a while.”: Neil Jones. | se
8. 'The delight of being sent home'
"I remember well the delight of being sent home as a result of this fire - think my parents had trouble believing me at first!": Janet Mardghum. | se