Staff at Peafield Lane Academy in Mansfield Woodhouse have created a video invitation to encourage their year 6 children to attend school for a final farewell event before moving on to secondary school.

The film, which shows teacher and deputy head Tom Daniel’s epic journey to get children’s hoodies to school in time for the event, includes a tramp through woodland paths and even a plunge into the River Maun to retrieve a runaway box!

Peafield Lane Academy traditionally hands out school hoodies on the final day, designed with their logo and made just for the year six leavers.

After watching the video, pupil Sophie Hossack said: “My mum couldn’t talk after she saw it. She had tears in her eyes!”

Fellow pupil Flynn Morris added: “I think Mr Daniel is an amazing teacher.”

Head teacher Gary Walker explained why the extraordinary mini-movie was made. “We didn’t want our year 6 pupils to end their primary school career without giving them one final send-off,” he said. “The video was intended to inspire those few children who have not returned to school yet to come and join us for one last time.”

The star of the movie, Tom Daniel, said: “We’ve made a few videos throughout the lockdown period and they have gone down really well with the children and parents. Mr Walker came up with the idea of this video invitation, and we wanted to create something really special.

“We’d already set up the ‘characters’ of the grumpy head teacher and a long-suffering deputy in an earlier film, so we built on that theme – the children know we’re not like that in real life!”

The video avoided the usual montage of photographs and was shot as a small movie that tells a story.

Tom added: “We wanted to send a clear message to our children – ‘Look at what you’ve been through to get here; you’re all heroes. Now get yourselves here one last time!’”

Tom said the film was great fun to make and had high praise for his co-stars, including Axle the dog, and his owner, school receptionist Kate Ryder.

“Mr Walker was the cameraman and we filmed it along the banks of the River Maun, which runs next to our school,” said Tom. “The children know the river well as we often visit for lessons. We filmed it on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year yet.

“Some onlookers saw us filming the river scene and said ‘Wow! Is that what teachers at your school do on their days off?’

“I hope the children get the message from the story and come and join us one last time. Obviously things will be different; we’ve had to ensure all of the Covid-19 safeguards are in place, but I’m sure the spirit and memories will be just as good.”

The annual event most anticipated by children is the staff vs children rounders match, which the school has just confirmed will take place.

The Peafield Lane Academy mini movie can be seen here: https://youtu.be/l0pU6XbqJls