IT IS almost the summer holidays, although many Winchester pupils have been learning at home since the end of March. For many in Year 6, this means they are finishing their primary years without saying goodbye to their friends before they go their separate ways.

But parents of pupils at St Bede Church of England Primary School have found a novel way to ensure their children have a long-lasting memory of each other at this unusual time.

With social distancing observed, Winchester photographer Sam Gavins has visited the Hyde and City Centre homes of 60 Year 6 children and photographed them outside their front doors. The individual images are being turned into a unique group collage for the participants to keep.

The idea came from local artist Lucy McLoughlin, whose eldest son Jack, aged 11, should be finishing seven years at St Bede this month.

Lucy said: “It think it is really important to mark milestones in life and sadly, because of Covid-19 the Year 6 children don't have the opportunity to celebrate properly so there is no real closure.”

Lucy contacted Sam after seeing her lockdown family photographs in the Hampshire Chronicle.

Although the project is independent of the school, almost all the families – 60 in total – signed up to take part. Children were photographed in their own clothes and sometimes holding an important prop – such as a favourite toy, electric guitar or a family pet.

For Lucy, organising so many photo sessions for one big photograph has been worth it. She added: “I absolutely love all the doorstep photos of the children and Sam has been so generous with her time. We will treasure these images forever and it will be an incredible document to have and to look back upon in years to come."