PARENTS have hailed an Ayr primary school for allowing their children to say goodbye as they look ahead to moving on to secondary.

Heathfield Primary opened its doors last week for a special occasion – as primary 7s visited teachers for one last time on what would have been the last day of school.

Despite coronavirus bringing an end to the normal school year, recent easing of lockdown restrictions meant that pupils could enjoy the cherished moments that are each year taken for granted.

The children were invited to the school on Thursday, June 25 in separate groups of between eight and 10, with each group getting a half hour slot to say goodbye to teachers and have a gander at their year books.

The pupils were then able to celebrate a Heathfield tradition by tying their tie to a tree at the school.

Yvonne Henderson, mum of primary 7 pupil Lewis Henderson, has thanked the school for their efforts to provide the children with the last day experience.

She told the Advertiser: “It was great. We could never have imagined that we would have been able to go to the school on the last day, it never seemed possible during lockdown.

“The teachers had everything all organised before-hand.

“It was a special day. To have them in school was a really nice touch.”

“For some of the parents it was really emotional.”

“The kids were kind of taken aback for their last day ever. After being on lockdown all that time they were hyper and excited.”

Young Lewis, 12, will now look ahead to going to Prestwick Academy.

He said: “It was really fun seeing all the teachers. It was really good to be able to say goodbye. I’m very excited about starting my new school.”

Another parent, Sara Affleck gave her son, Bradley an extra surprise after he visited the school by throwing him a party at home.

Sara said: “Bradley was really disappointed in not being at school for the final few

weeks of P7.

“But the school have been amazing with organising the year books and Prestwick Academy ties and going into the school to say final goodbyes.”

Proud teacher Gaenor Hardy said: “We invited all Primary 7 pupils in with their parents.

“They were presented with a yearbook and there was a PowerPoint with Special memories. Parents joined in too.

“We were all socially distanced in the dinner hall with strict cleaning routines.

“It’s not the send off we would have wanted but it was important to celebrate their time at Primary School.”