PUPILS at a Wiltshire school were treated to a socially distanced leavers service on Monday.

As part of the celebrations, West Tytherley CE Primary School held an outside service with Rev James Pitkin for the 30 children, and hosted achievement awards.

This was topped off by the school’s traditional passing through the ‘Rites of Passage Stone’ ceremony to mark the end of their primary school education.

Normally, when new pupils join the school they pass through the ‘Rites of Passage Stone’ and are welcomed by fellow students, teachers and parents.

Headteacher at West Tytherley CE Primary School, Michael Warren, said: "This year has been a very unusual and challenging time for everyone – pupils, parents, staff and community alike.

"A year that we will look back upon and remember when life, as we knew it, ‘stopped in its tracks’ and a new ‘normal’ was something that we had to reluctantly accept and adapt to.”

He added: "The staff and governors at West Tytherley would like to give a fond farewell to our wonderful Year 6 children and wish them every success in their new schools.

"They should be very proud of their achievements made at West Tytherley.

"Each and every one of them is kind and caring, making a group of individuals that have showed amazing resilience over the last few months that will stand them in good stead for the future challenges of life.”