Four years later pupils moved into a purpose-built school on Church Road and earlier this month staff, students and parents celebrated its 150th birthday.

During the celebrations the children enjoyed games and maypole dancing and the school hall was adorned with pictures and information about the building's rich heritage.

Former students and staff met for a tea party and the Bishop of Hertford visited to mark the day.

The activities were rounded off with a Victorian-themed summer fête.

Nick Crispin, chairman of governors, said: "We look forward to the next 150 years, in the hope that the school will be just as popular and successful."

Little Gaddesden School was founded by Lord Brownlow, of Ashridge House, who appointed John Worrall as schoolmaster.

Before the school moved to Church Road in 1858, a large room at the Bridgewater Arms Inn was used, but objections were raised about the children walking in through the main door and across the tap room, so they used a window to get in.

In 1863 Mr Worrall's son-in-law, Samuel Green, became the assistant master. He was later appointed headmaster in 1894.

He spent 50 years at the school until he retired in 1914, at the age of 68.

The first woman to lead the school was Winifred Sapsford, who replaced Douglas Harrison between 1916 and 1919, while he was on active service in the Army.

Little Gaddesden had to wait 72 years before another woman was to run the school. That was Mary Iveson, who took up the post in 1991.

During the Second World War years the village became home to 193 child evacuees overseen by 14 teachers.

To handle the new arrivals the school operated on a two-shift system.

Several books have been written about the school, including two by former headteachers.

Vicars Bell's The Dodo – the story of a village schoolmaster. The school's library was named after him in his honour.

And another key head teacher, Albert Williams, who led the school between 1966 and 1988.

He is remembered for his enthusiastic promotion of school sports, for the May Day celebrations and for the annual sausage and mash supper in the old school hall.

Main developments of the building in recent years include the opening of a school hall and kitchen in 2000.

This was built to replace a flat-roofed pre-fabricated hall constructed in 1944 after the original hall, which had been used as a First World War army hut, was burnt down by a young arsonist.

The most recent addition to the school is a new wing for the reception class, which was completed in 2004.