Pupils, parents and former staff will say a fond farewell to an Oxford secondary school on Friday.

Peers School, in Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, is set to close next month to make way for Oxford's first academy.

About 500 people are expected at the school to help celebrate its 40-year history and achievements.

Governors' chairman Andrew Parsons said: "It is a celebration of the history of Peers.

"People are going to feel quite sad. There is a lot of affection for Peers - a number of very interesting people have been associated with it.

"The school is a big part of the community. It predates the time when that part of the world was part of Oxford."

One of the highlights of the evening will be the unveiling of a new book about the school which has been commissioned by the Hamilton Trust.

Peers School: A Comprehensive with a Difference, charts the history of the 750-pupil school from its formation in 1968 to the present day - and includes details of visits by former Prime Minister Tony Blair and South African human rights campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Photos of school trips, sponsored walks, staff and musical performances also feature. Copies of the 64-page book, which was written by former Cherwell School headteacher Martin Roberts, will be distributed to 1,000 parents and former staff. The evening will also see the unveiling of a commemorative stone plaque in the grounds.

Headteacher Ed McConnell said: "People feel extremely proud of what Peers has achieved over the years."