AN open evening at Wade Deacon High School set a new record attracting 1,500 visitors.

The school’s new principal Simon Corner, who takes over from interim principal Michele Bacon in October, welcomed everyone.

He returns to the Birchfield Road school after two years as vice principal at Formby High School.

Various activities were on hand for prospective pupils and their families to try out.

A hands on biology lesson gave children the chance to watch science teacher Louise Naidu dissect a rat.

Gruesome 19th century medicine was demonstrated by pupils.

Foreign languages hosted murder mysteries while there was a Viking treasure hunt in history.

Former pupil Gareth Hunt said: “The school has changed dramatically since I was a pupil here in the 1990s with unbelievable technology and facilities.

“But its core values are still very much the same.

“It is a fabulous learning environment where any young person can thrive and my son can’t wait to be a part of it.”