YEAR six leavers at a Warrington primary school were treated to the full festival experience to celebrate their time there.
Glastonbury may have been cancelled this year, but the festival vibe was definitely rocking for pupils bidding farewell from Winwick CofE Primary School.
In total, 27 pupils, along with their teacher Kelly Mather and other teaching staff, enjoyed their Winwickbury Farewell Festival before moving on to high school.
The event was almost cancelled after four class bubbles burst days before the end of term, but it finally came to life following months of fundraising and planning thanks.
The determination of headteacher Sue Dymond, Mrs Mather and the school’s parent, teacher and friends’ association chairman Sarah Browning was also key.
“Mrs Mather chatted with the class about how they would like to celebrate leaving and they came up with the idea of a festival,” Sarah said.
Primary school brings Glastonbury to Winwick as year six pupils enjoy leavers festival
“Year six, like so many students and pupils, have missed out on so much these past 12 to 18 months.
“They did not get to go on their class residential, do enterprise initiatives, be buddies with new reception class children or get to go on the usual trips and visits.
“These are all the things that would usually help carve their last year in primary school and help prepare them for the next stages of their learning and life journey.
“Mrs Mather was determined that their last celebration at Winwick CofE Primary would be the absolute best possible for her class of 2021.”
As music and laughter reached the far corners of the village, social media lit up as inquisitive residents tried to find out where the noise was coming from.
The festival field was also kitted out with gazebos, a BBQ, bubble and smoke machine and a range of outdoor games.
Primary school brings Glastonbury to Winwick as year six pupils enjoy leavers festival
Sarah added: “The PTFA was given a wish list from the children of what they wanted at the festival, and then Mrs Mather and I ran with it.
“We didn’t tell them what we had actually organised for them – we just took their ideas then managed it all privately.
“The live band, ice cream van, bell tent, music dome and mocktails were all surprises for them.
“We promised the children they would not miss out and we managed to reschedule everything.”
The school is hoping to hold a similar event for the next class of leavers in 2022.
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