FROM the Spode crockery on the tables to Hanley-born Captain Edward Smith at the helm, the Titanic has always had strong links with Stoke-on-Trent.

And that is also the case for one school in Stockton Brook.

Greenways Primary School opened on April 14, 1912, the same day the "unsinkable" Titanic hit an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.

The sinking resulted in the deaths of more than 1,500 people on board and the tragedy has fascinated pupils who have been studying it in history lessons.

And they now they want to commemorate their links to the ocean liner at the school.

Children have come up with a variety of ways to remember the event, including Titanic murals on the school walls, a model in their playground and the replacing the school bell with a ship's horn.

Teacher Esther Buckle said: "When I first heard it I thought it was a great idea.

"Pupils cover the Titanic in Year Four – it is a big part of British history which they enjoy learning about and has a link with the school and the area.

"It's important they learn about local history and British history and this would bring it alive.

"They can learn about it in the classroom and then play with it outside."

Pupils have now entered The Sentinel and Barclays' Class Act competition, in the hope of winning £5,000 to fund their ideas.

Raif Clarke, aged 10, from Baddeley Green, said: "I just think it'd be a really good idea. The school walls are a bit dull, so a mural would brighten it up.

"It was my idea originally. I don't really know much about the Titanic – I've seen the film but that doesn't really count.

"For the main bell we could have a ship's horn. That would be more entertaining than a ring.

"We also want to have a Titanic ship either in the middle or next to a pond, which will be more for wildlife like frogs.

"If we win we'll be able to bring our idea to life and it will be more exciting every day at school."

Indea Wood, aged 10, from Stockton Brook, said: "I want to make the school more educational and help the children know about its history, because Greenways opened when the Titanic sank and its captain came from Hanley.

"I studied it last year and we learned about the structures, the waterline and how it broke into pieces.

"We could do a scene on the wall with the Titanic sailing and the Titanic sinking.

"Outside we want to have a water feature or a pond with a model Titanic."

Scott Johnson, aged 10, from Baddeley Green, said: "I want to have sirens saying 'the Titanic's going to sink' instead of a school bell."