A final farewell - tears and laughter at Brancaster Primary as it closes for good

'Heartbreaking’ is how many describe the decision to shut the village school. The Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust is merging it with Docking Primary blaming ‘a lack of pupils’

“I can’t believe it’s happening,” says headteacher Mrs Woodrow. “It’s an emotional time for the community, a very sad time. This Big Tea Party is about celebrating all we have achieved and focusing on happy memories, lots of past pupils, staff, parents and friends are here."  And it begins with the children playing music and singing songs in the playground.  

Afterwards, as ice creams and cakes are served, some of the pupils are keen to tell me about their time here. “It’s been a great school, I’ve made some amazing friends,” 11 year old Xavi says. “It would have been nice to maybe walk around and see it at some point in the future but we can’t, it’s just not great.” He expresses his concerns for younger children like 8 year old Ava who’s standing nearby. “I feel sad,” she says, “And I’m a bit nervous as I don’t know many people at my new school”.  Xavi reassures her that’ll soon change. 

Lily Keeling and her mum Marleen

As I walk around there are groups gathered happily reminiscing. Lily Keeling, who left in 2016, says, “It’s one of those schools that when I get older I’d have liked to send my kids to. We did a lot of things and families all got involved, it was really sweet. We had some really nice teachers, Miss Tidd she was a legend, an absolute legend.”

I come across 3 friends looking at old photos, who smile and tell me it was ‘such a happy place’ to come as children. “It’s wonderful to see people,” says Vicky, “but it’s just so sad, as it’ll take the life out of the village.”

Bel, Wendy and Vicky reminiscing

I chat to Bel Townsend, whose husband Hugh was the headmaster for 25 years, “Our 3 children went through the school - we lived in the school house - such fond memories. It was very family orientated, it really was. Hugh had strong links, his grandmother had gone here.”

8 year old Olivia, who’s running around playing with friends, stops to tell me she ‘loves it here’. Her mum Robyn adds, “She’s sad but excited for a new chapter and a new start. I think a lot of people are heartbroken. But all we can do is try and make it a positive.”  There are siblings of pupils enjoying the afternoon sun and ice cream that parents say they would have loved to send here.

Piles of furniture are in parts of the playground which 11 year old Asya says is upsetting. “It’s quite a shock, I’ve been here for 7 years, today they’ve starting to take things down in the classroom - all our memories.”

I’m pointed in the direction of Janet Lake, who was a pupil in 1941, “And my mother in 1917 and my 3 children,” she says. “So many memories, I loved it and my children loved it. Absolutely heart broken we are.” Janet became a dinner lady for 15 years and a governor for a while, “I saw several of these here grow up. Yes, so many lovely memories.”

Janet Lake (centre) chatting with former pupils

And I find Miss Tidd who retired three years ago. “It’s been a lovely school, my own kids came here and they wouldn’t have if it wasn't lovely. Everybody looked after everyone else, the older kids were really kind to the new ones, just a really kind community.”  I ask how she feels about being described as an ‘absolute legend’.  She laughs and says, “That’s wonderful - that’s brilliant and the children were all amazing. All of them.”

Villagers Val, Liz and Bettie

I meet others whose parents helped with fund raisers, school trips, were cooks - families and residents who made it one big community. It has, after all, been a prominent part of the village for more than 150 years. Val, who lives in Brancaster, says she already ‘had tears when the children were singing'.  I imagine many more were shed. 

And although everyone would have wished they’d have been meeting under different circumstances, it was a fitting send off for such a beloved school which has lovingly shaped generations of families.

Pupils 11 year old Asya and Xabi talk about their love of Brancaster Primary