Nostalgia: How Barrow's Chetwynde School has excelled at a variety of challenges over the decades

In June 1996 youngsters from Chetwynde School demonstrated their determination to succeed as they were busy growing flowers and plants in the school grounds.

They took on the task with a view to growing enough colourful products to be able to sell them to members of the public.

WORKING: A 1996 business venture by pupils at Barrow’s Chetwynde School to sell plants and produce pieces of garden furniture

In 1998, several pupils impressed the community as they used their impressive science knowledge and skills to win a special competition.

The Barrow A-level Chemistry students won a contest sponsored by North West Water and British Gas.

The four-hour competition was organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry and held at Lancaster University.

TESTING: Irmeen Jeelani, left, Sherif El-Tawil and Peter Newton at Chetwynde School, Barrow, in 1998

Entrants had to analyse lemon squash, a bitter lemon drink and whole lemons using a technique known as atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

The Chetwynde chemists discovered the bitter lemon drink contained one part per million of copper.

The article at the time noted: “They also discovered extra vitamin C had been added as a preservative to the lemon squash.

The school also recruited a local star to help nurture pupils' creativity.

David Marcus, a former Walney South Conservative councillor, made a name for himself as a pantomime performer where he garnered attention in a variety of roles through his career.

Outside his career as a politician and his skills on the stage, David was also a teacher and spent a lot of time at Barrow’s Chetwynde School.

STAR: David Marcus, the well-known local Panto star, regularly taught drama and speech therapy at Barrow’s Chetwynde School, pictured in 2006

During his time in between taking part in famous productions, he also acted as a drama teacher for the school. He passed on his years of experience on the stage to the next generation of Barrow performers.

In addition, he was also a very highly-rated speech therapist and helped students overcome anxiety, speech impediments and public speaking.

In 2008, the school saw a revolution in its canteen as the pupils took control of their diets and picked what food they wanted the school canteen to serve.

DINING: Youngsters at Chetwynde School, Barrow, picking healthy options from the award-wining catering team in 2008

One request that kept coming up was that for soup, which both the teachers and staff asked for.

The overhaul of the menu saw an inclusion of meatballs, pasta, mushroom sauce and fresh fruit.