TWO college students have volunteered their time to give Year Six pupils the send off they deserve after coronavirus scuppered their studies.

Pupils at St Margaret's Prep School in Gosfield have been putting together a video to celebrate their time at the school.

The coronavirus has been an upsetting experience for many pupils, particularly the Year Six leavers who should have been spending their final months at school making lasting memories.

That was all ruined though when the lockdown forced children to stay home.

However, now, with the help of two college students, the pupils are working in collaboration with a school parent to produce a special keepsake film that the Year 6 leavers can treasure.

Claudia Harrison is an actor and associate teacher at RADA. She directs the leavers’ musical production every year.

As the musical had to be cancelled, instead Claudia has written and directed the film for the children to perform.

She is joined by 17-year-old college students Ben Moss and Connor Crowley.

Ben Moss, from Belchamp Otten, a Year 13 student at Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge had his A-levels in Music Technology, Music and Drama & Theatre Studies cancelled.

Ben is editing the film and is a former pupil at St. Margaret’s Prep with Acting Headteacher, Mrs Carolyn Moss being his mum.

Connor Crowley, from Bures, is the film's videographer and is in his first year at West Suffolk College, Bury studying Level 3 Film and Media Production.

His end of year projects and exams were cancelled when the college closed in March.

Connor’s mother, Mrs Crowley is Head of English at St. Margaret’s Prep.

Ben said: “I still vividly remember my Speech Day and leavers' assembly from when I left St. Margaret's.

"If I can help give the same joyful memories that I have to the current Year Sixes, despite social distancing and lockdown restrictions, then I'm delighted to work with Connor and Claudia on this exciting project.

"The children are fantastic and great fun to work with and I'm doing something I really love.”

Connor added: “This has been a great way to gain important, extra experience by working with different people.

"I’m learning new ways to direct from Claudia and gaining skills in audio and editing techniques from Ben.

"The St. Margaret’s children have been enjoyable and fun to be around.

"At times it can be challenging directing young children. But that’s is all part of the experience.”

Claudia Harrison said: “It has been a real pleasure to work with Ben and Connor on this project.

"Both have real ambition to work professionally in the industry and show incredible drive, commitment, talent and energy!

"East Anglian born and bred. Watch this space!”

Filming is taking place with all the Year 6 pupils that returned to school on Monday 1 June when it reopened its doors after three months.

Pupils from other year groups, including those still working from home, have also contributed towards the film.

It follows the School’s ‘Coronacoaster’ experience from the lows of closure, to stepping up to the challenges of online teaching and learning from home, to the joy of returning and being back together with friends.

It also showcases what the children want to do in the future with the children dressing up and acting out their dream jobs.

Mrs Carolyn Moss, Acting Headteacher at St. Margaret’s Prep said: “I am so very grateful to Claudia, Ben and Connor for all that they are doing to help our wonderful Year Sixes have a positive end to their time here.

"They've all worked so very hard over the years, they are such amazing individuals and it has been a pleasure to teach them.

"It is wonderful to have them back in school and to see them having so much fun during the filming.”