Small and intimate was the order of the day when Year 13 students from Abbeyfield School gathered to say goodbye to their friends and teachers.

Around 55 sixth formers met at the Hilton hotel in Bath for the final social event of their school years last week, where they enjoyed a dinner and disco.

Pastoral manager Kerri Buckley said: “It was a wonderful evening and everybody had a really nice time.

“It was lovely for the bulk of the year group to be together as a group for the last time and it was a chance for them to see each other after the pressure of the exams.

“They have all worked so hard for their A-levels and it was nice to see them let their hair down and have a good time.”

The group was the first to study in the school’s new sixth form centre, which opened last year, and being small in number has allowed staff to really get to know the students.

“I got to know them really well because they were quite a small group, and that has been really nice,” said Miss Buckley.

“They have been absolutely lovely and I am going to miss them all so much. They have worked really hard and they are just nice kids.

“I have seen them change from the beginning of Year 10 and they have really grown up. They really do change and mature as they get older, and it all just comes together in the end.”

The next time the year group will be together is August 19, when they will be anxiously opening envelopes containing their A-level results.

“Most of them have applied to university, but some will be going to colleges or into work,” said Miss Buckley.

“I don’t know how they are feeling about it because they were keen not to talk about school at the prom, but we have high hopes for them.”

The sixth formers, who will be the last group to leave the school under the guidance of headteacher Trish Shubrook, are mainly going to university although some are starting work.

The students put their mark on their final year event, organising it with Miss Buckley to make sure it was an elegant affair fitting for their last get-together.