THE spirits of children and staff at Beech Down Primary School were raised during a week of fun activities to celebrate the jubilee.

After receiving the devastating news that Hampshire education chief Don Allen had decided to close their school, headteacher Ann Macdonald pledged to turn the focus on making life as normal as possible.

As planned, the school started their festivities on Monday by doing practical activities and literacy and numeracy work related to the jubilee.

The sweet smell of cooking filled the school corridors when the pupils baked biscuits in the shape of crowns.

They also got involved in making banners, flags and crowns and learning the national anthem. The week ended with a talent show and jubilee picnic by a beech tree in the school grounds.

Before they pupils left to start their half-term, they were presented with a bookmark and coin to commemorate the historic occasion.

Deputy headteacher Chris Floan said: "It was a fairly hectic week but the pupils enjoyed it."