Youngsters tea-partied the day away to mark the end of their nursery journey

Teachers and staff at St Francis' Nursery in the Port organised an unprecedented 'isolation graduation' for the children who are heading for primary school in August.

The dedicated team home-delivered a tea party in a box to every pupil in the class and encouraged them to celebrate their success with their families.

Despite the rain, staff headed out and delivered a box full of goodies to each of the 18 pupils heading for school.

The treat boxes were packed with lots of presents, including a certificate, poem, a rainbow picture with the names of all the graduates, cupcakes, a balloon and superhero masks.

Every pupil opened the boxes together at noon - and parents shared some of the photos with the thoughtful teaching staff.

Carrie Murphy, depute head at the nursery, said: "We just wanted to do something a bit different to say goodbye to them.

"They've been so resilient - the last time we saw them all together was in March and we didn't just want to end it like that.

"We knew we had to mark it.

"We had an amazing reaction from the kids and the families.

"They were all so surprised and thought it was a lovely gesture."

Carrie and the team have been keeping in touch with the youngsters online via Zoom and sending out play-packs to keep them busy with schoolwork during the lockdown.

Carried said: "They're all fantastic pupils and we want to wish them all the best in their continuing adventure.

"The staff worked so hard all year in difficult circumstances and I would like to thank all of them too.

"St Francis' is a really special place and we're all a big family."