SCHOOL pupils and college students waved goodbye to their teachers and friends as they left school for perhaps the last time.

Many pupils in the latter years of their education may not return as the coronavirus outbreak has forced educational centres to shut for the foreseeable future.

However pupils found creative ways to make their last day special.

Those in isolation used video calls to keep in touch with each other.

While many thought of the possibility of not going back to school as a positive, many were left feeling saddened by it.

Karen Gibson said: "For my daughter, Tyra Gandonu, and some of her friends this is there last day in year 11.

"She's got no exams that they have been working hard for.

"No prom that they have been looking forward to and probably the last day that they will see each other for a while."

Claire Lou said: "My daughter Caitlin Leigh, of St Wilfrid’s CE Academy, is not in school due to self isolating, but her friends are still trying to include her in last day celebrations the best way they can.

"They've video called each other and are colouring in shirts like they would have done on their actual last day."

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told MPs that schools in England would be closed from Friday until further notice for all pupils, except the children of key workers and the most vulnerable.

It came after Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland announced similar measures on Wednesday.

Kirsty Ainsworth said: "Hollie-Grace Ainsworth hasn't been in since Wednesday as her little brother has asthma really bad at the moment.

"Hollie-Grace Ainsworth is only five but she loves school, she has cried to go back to school."

The government has said if your work is critical to the coronavirus response, or you work in one of the critical sectors, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision.