Thousands of Year Six Pupils at Guildford Cathedral for a Special Send Off

Published on: 23 Jun, 2025
Updated on: 25 Jun, 2025

Some 2,669 Year Six pupils from the 52 Church of England primary and junior schools in the Diocese of Guildford attended farewell services at Guildford Cathedral, as they get ready to begin secondary school in September.

School Leavers with the Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson; and the Diocese of Guildford’s director of education, Alex Tear.

Celebrating and reflecting on the end of their primary education, the pupils were joined by almost 300 staff and 50 volunteers.

The services were led by the Bishops of Guildford and Dorking, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson and the Rt Revd Paul Davies, as well as the diocese’s director of education, Alex Tear.

Chaplains and youth workers from some of the secondary schools that pupils will be attending were involved, offering a positive link into secondary education.

The pupils sang hymns and at each service, pupils from one of the schools read a prayer they had written with their classmates in which they thanked God, their teachers and peers, for years of happy and joyful memories as well as acknowledging the tough times they had been through together during the Covid pandemic.

Pupils also took part in a range of activities: including reflection and prayer stations, which encouraged the children to think about their proudest moments at primary school, to give thanks for people who had helped them, and reflect on their hopes and anxieties around starting a new school.

Pupils sharing a reflective moment during an activity called Regret.

Another activity called Regret involved pupils sharing a reflective moment on something they wish they had done differently during their time at school.

They were then encouraged to take a dirty stone from a container and wash it clean to symbolise letting go of their regrets as they move on to the next chapter in their lives.

In an activity led by school staff, there were plenty of opportunities for pupils to celebrate and share some of their proudest moments and most cherished memories during their seven years at school.

Year Six pupils at their farewell service held at Guildford Cathedral.

The Diocese of Guildford’s director of education, Alex Tear, said: “It was wonderful to see the beautiful cathedral and its grounds filled with excited chatter and enthusiasm of the pupils as they threw themselves into all the activities.

“We pray the will have a well-earned summer break and a continued fruitful education wherever they move on to.”

The school and church partnership advisor at the Diocese of Guildford, Jane Whittington, added: While the services are busy with hundreds of children and staff at each one, the children engage thoughtfully with the reflective activities.

“Feedback for teachers tells us that they [the children] find them a helpful part of transition to their new schools.”