A NORTH-EAST school enjoyed a visit from ‘The Queen’ during celebrations to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Longfield Academy, in Darlington, commemorated Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne by staging a non-uniform day, with pupils and staff dressing in red, white and blue, enjoying a free afternoon tea, and having bags of fun.

Head of PE, Sam Mason, was the star of the show, turning up as The Queen, and having a go on a hook-a-duck stall, as well as joining in the welly-throwing competition.

Geography teacher Dave Rutter also led the way by having his hair dyed bright red.

“If you’re going to do it, you might as well go the whole hog,” said the self-styled ‘Hair To The Throne’.

The school arranged Jubilee-themed lessons, and organised a host of fun activities, including arts and crafts, football and karaoke.

Head of School, Angela Sweeten, embraced the occasion by dressing in red, white and blue and helping to serve the traditional English afternoon tea.

Assistant Head, Hayley Moohan, said: “Everyone taking part had a lot of fun and really entered into the Jubilee spirit. Obviously, the icing on the cake was having The Queen here to grace us with her presence, and she did surprisingly well at the wellie-throwing!”