Thanks to the enterprise of two Hasmonean Girls’ High teachers, sixth-formers enjoyed a surprise graduation ceremony on their doorsteps.

Staff, rabbis and heads of sixth-form travelled to the homes of all 60 leavers on a balloon-clad float. From a safe distance, the graduates were entertained with music and a personalised speech. They also received a small gift and mortarboard.

The mobile graduation was the idea of the joint deputy heads of A-level Jewish studies, Debbie Paster and Yael Hamer, who sourced private sponsorship. Students were told to wear their mortarboards for a follow-on virtual graduation with their whole year via Zoom.

“It’s been heartbreaking for students who were told their school careers had ended, their exams were cancelled and effectively, ‘that’s it’,” Mrs Paster explained.

“We try and live by the lessons we teach and showing the value of every individual is something we hoped this crazy idea would leave our students with for the rest of their lives.”