David Walliams has special message for Holywell School leavers after their difficult year

An emotional last day for children who have been unable to return to Holywell School since it was hit by fire has been brightened up by a guest appearance from celebrity author and comedian David Walliams.

It has been a difficult for all the children from Holywell C of E School at Tawstock, which suffered a fire in December and repair works continue.

But the leaving assembly today (Monday) at their temporary home of Roundswell Community Primary Academy was especially poignant for the Year 6 class from Holywell, who will now never be able to return to the school they have known for most of their lives.

So the Holywell leavers and their schoolmates were amazed and delighted to be shown a personalised video message from children’s author, comedian and TV celebrity David Walliams.

There was even more delight as all 16 leavers from Holywell were given a signed copy each of David’s latest book Astrochimp.

Above: Children’s author and celebrity David Walliams recorded a personal message for the Holywell School Year 6 leavers. Credit: David Walliams/Harper Collins

The 16 Holywell leavers are: Poppy Steers, Izzy and Nancy Barstow, Callan Lloyd, Paddy Evans, Evan Westaway, Olivia Procter, Ella Rosser, Mia Broad, Naomi Jenkins, Willow Issac, Toby Cook, Issac Shelton, Emily Clarke, Ray Taylor and Daisy Ball.

The surprise was arranged by Michelle Procter, whose daughter Olivia is one of the Holywell Year 6 pupils, by using her London PR contacts to get in touch with David’s team.

The author and former Britain’s Got Talent judge regretted he could not attend in person as he is currently on a national tour promoting his new book.

But in his video message, he told them: “A huge hello to everyone at Holywell Church of England School. I'm David Walliams and I know it's a really exciting time for the Year 6 leavers.

“A whole new adventure awaits you so I just wanted to send you my love and wish you all good luck. But for now have a fantastic summer. Take care everyone.”

The historic thatched Holywell School on the outskirts of Barnstaple was closed in December following an accidental fire but it is expected to be open again later in the year.

That is too late for the Year 6 cohort, who will be moving on to their new secondary schools, after almost an entire year away from their own school.

Holywell, which is part of the Ventrus Multi Academy Trust, had to move all 83 of its pupils to temporary schools, firstly to Orchard Vale and then to Roundswell.

Michelle Procter said everyone had been delighted that David Walliams had sent the message.

She told the Gazette: “They have had a really difficult time this year with a lot of upset and upheaval being moved from pillar to post. As parents we’ve had to deal with the upset of them not being at their school, knowing it’s their last year and they are not able to finish where it all started.

“We celebrated sports day at Roundswell and I think emotions started to kick in, knowing it was their last sports day and communal activity and that bit more upsetting because they were not able to do it at Holywell.

“I got in touch with David’s team and as he’s on a book tour he was not physically able to contact the school, but they came back and said he had offered to do a pre-recorded message for them.

“We are just gobsmacked he would make such a kind gesture.”

After the assembly, she added: “The children were asked to turn to the stage by the headteacher as the assembly drew to a close for one last surprise.

“Then the video was played in front of them and there were sounds of excitement as the children were thrilled and full of smiles to listen to David address them personally.”

Holywell headteacher Robinne Lowrey said: “The resilience that our Year 6 children have demonstrated through a challenging year for them has been remarkable. 

“Our leavers have had to adjust to two new schools in a short space of time and have worked hard throughout. I congratulate all of our Year 6 on their recent SATs results, where our children performed above and beyond what we could have hoped through such unusual circumstances. 

“Every child exceeded our expectations and proved to us what a special group of children they are. We are so grateful to the team at Roundswell for their collegiate work and we look forward to our return once building works are complete.

“A special thank you to Mrs Michelle Proctor for organising this very special surprise for our Year 6 children.”

The Holywell PTFA is organising an online raffle in the autumn to raise money to organise something special on the children's return to Holywell and have appealed for any local businesses that would be willing to make a donation of gifts, merchandise or anything that could be auctioned. If you would like to help, please email Lauren Lloyd on friendsofholywell@gmail.com

Holywell still has some places available in some year groups for the new school year this September – to enquire about a place, email holywell@ventrus.org.uk.