'Icing on the cake' for school's 400th anniversary (From Times Series)

Pupils at Dame Alice Owen’s School make gigantic cake for 400th anniversary

5:16pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News By Natalie O'Neill

Children donned their aprons and had whisks at the ready as they baked a gigantic cake in celebration of their school's 400th anniversary.

Helped out by their parents and teachers, all 1,500 pupils at Dame Alice Owen’s School baked individual Victoria sponges which were put together to form one big cake measuring a staggering 2 x 1.5 metres.

Alan Davison, headteacher of the school in Dugdale Hill, Potters Bar, said: “Not many schools can claim 400 years of excellence in education so we invited the students to suggest a student-friendly way of celebrating and the cake was a favourite with students and staff alike.

“At Owen’s we work hard but also have a great time.”

The anniversary cake was cut with a ceremonial sword today by old Owenian Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet who is chairing the school’s 400th anniversary committee.

The committee has organised a programme of celebratory events to take place throughout the year including a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in April as well as a fundraising scheme to build a science department costing approximately £6million.

Peter Martin, chair of governors, said: “I know the whole school community is excited about the 400th anniversary and a year packed with events to mark the occasion.

"As an old Owenian myself I am also very much looking forward to it, and kicking off in this way with Gary Kemp doing the honours is just the icing on the cake.”

Dame Alice Owen’s was founded in Islington in 1613 and moved to Potters Bar in 1976. Alumni are encouraged to get involved in the 400th anniversary events by emailing the year they left the school to 400years@damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk.