WHEN the government announced that schools had to shut, Swindon headteachers had to work fast to organise a leavers' event for their Year 11s.

With just two days’ notice, Kingsdown School and Ridgeway School arranged special send-offs for students whose final year had been abruptly cut short.

Kingsdown students collected messages from friends and staff before taking part in the school tradition of walking from the Greenbridge McDonald’s to arrive at school together.

They had pictures taken in a photo booth and signed shirts before posing for an aerial photo and attending a final assembly.

One student said: “I’m extremely grateful for the memories I’ve created at Kingsdown. This was never the way I intended to leave school but thank you for working hard to make it such an amazing day.”

Students left the site with a guard of honour from applauding staff.

At Ridgeway, months of planning were squashed into hours to arrange a school walkthrough and make cards with each student’s Year 7 photo for friends and staff to sign, with Years 7 and 8 rallying to make a good luck banner.

Their last assembly had yearbook awards, a staff video, photos and memories, and messages from England rugby player Jonny May and mayor Kevin Parry.

Year 11 progress mentor coordinator Georgina Allbrook-Dunn said: “Having heard that Year 11’s time with us was to be cut short, we thought it was only right that we created lasting memories.

“We wanted to make it about the small things and spending time together. The students were exceptional and when the bell rang, they simply didn’t want to leave.

“Although rushed, it showed the true spirit and community of our Ridgeway family with everyone coming together to make a memorable event.”