Pupils and staff at Kirkby Stephen Grammar were delighted to welcome Princess Anne earlier this week.
Her Royal Highness visited the grammar school, in Kirkby Stephen to unveil a plaque to celebrate the 450th anniversary commemorating the secondary school.
Princess Anne was greeted by a crowd of cheering pupils holding Union flags as she arrived outside the academy.
The Headteacher for Kirkby Stephen Grammar school said: “It’s very exciting. Not every school has an anniversary as significant as this. We are thrilled that Princess Anne has come to help us celebrate.”
Whilst visiting the school the Princess Royal took a keen interest in exploring the schools sporting facilities, she was later given a demonstration of some of the sporting teams available to pupils. Princess Anne was seen asking students about awards and achievements they have received from the sporting facilities.
Head of the PE department, Helen Paul said: “She was asking about how students participate in all activities. Everybody plays everything, and we get great results for such a small school.”
Netball captain Catherine Marston, who plays for Northumbria, added: “It was an amazing experience, not a lot of people have this opportunity. It is a privilege.”
Princess Anne also took particular interest in the schools catering and technology departments.
After an extensive look into the schooling facilities, the Princess Royal unveiled a plaque to celebrate the continuous 450 years of teaching at Kirkby Stephen Grammar school.
The Chair of governors Simon Bennett said: “Not many schools can say that they have educated for 450 years continuously. It is fitting to have a royal visit to mark the occasion.
“It is sometimes difficult to know if the royal family is still relevant to young people but when they come into the local community it brings it alive for them rather than being something they only see on TV or in the newspaper.”