School leavers pictures from across north Essex in the Gazette

After the most challenging of years because of the pandemic, youngsters are preparing to leave school and begin the next chapter of their young lives.

For many, that means the end of Year Six, leaving primary school and getting ready for the fresh challenge of secondary school in September.

For those in Year 11, it's time to start thinking about what to do after leaving school - perhaps sixth form, college or maybe an apprenticeship.

Tomorrow's Gazette is a celebration of those milestones as we bring you our hugely-popular Forever Friends supplement.

Jam-packed with pictures and smiling faces, it captures a moment in time and is a perfect memento.

Dozens of schools have taken part and the full run-down of those featured is:

• Hamilton Primary School,
• Lexden Primary School,
• Myland Community Primary School,
• North Primary School and Nursery,
• Old Heath Community Primary School,
• Messing Primary School,
• Langenhoe Community Primary and Pre School,
• Great Bentley Primary School,
• Gosbecks Primary School,
• Prettygate Junior School,
• Hazelmere Junior School,
• Montgomery Junior School,
• Home Farm Primary School,
• Brightlingsea Primary School and Nursery,
• Friars Grove Primary School,
• Stanway Fiveways Primary School,
• Baynards Primary School,
• Unity Primary Academy,
• Cherry Tree Academy,
• St James' Church of England Primary School and Nursery,
• St Michael's Primary School and Nursery,
• Highwoods Community Primary School,
• Kendall Church of England Primary School,
• Copford Church of England Primary School,
• St Lawrence Church of England Primary School,
• Rowhedge,
• Fordham All Saints Church of England Primary School,
• Great Tey Church of England Primary School,
• Layer-De-La-Haye Church of England Primary School,
• St Andrew's Church of England Primary School,
• Heathlands Church of England Primary School,
• West Bergholt,
• Ardleigh St Mary's Church of England Primary School,
• Fingringhoe Church of England Primary School,
• St Teresa's Catholic Primary School,
• The Bishop William Ward Church of England Primary School,
• St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School,
• Queen Boudica Primary School,
• Mersea Island School,
• Earls Colne Primary School and Nursery,
• Brinkley Grove Primary School,
• St Mary's Lower School,
• Gosfield Community Primary School,
• Heybridge Primary School,
• Lyons Hall Primary School,
• Richard de Clare Community Academy,
• Ridgewell Church of England Primary School,
• Rayne Primary and Nursery School,
• Tollesbury School,
• Wentworth Primary School,
• St Andrew's Church of England Primary School,
• Great Yeldham,
• St Margaret's Church of England Primary School Toppesfield,
• Kelvedon St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy,
• White Notley Church of England Primary School,
• Tolleshunt D’Arcy St Nicholas Primary Academy,
• St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree,
• Holy Family Catholic Primary School,
• Maldon Court Preparatory School,
• Hamford Primary Academy,
• Cann Hall Primary School,
• Frinton Primary School,
• Bradfield Primary School,
• Tendring Primary School,
• Wix and Wrabness Primary School,
• Kirby Primary Academy,
• Highfields Primary School,
• St Andrew's CE Primary School,
• Holland Park Primary School,
• Spring Meadow Primary School and Nursery,
• Harwich Community Primary School and Nursery,
• Two Village Church of England Primary School,
• St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Harwich,
• All Saints Church of England Primary School, Great Oakley,
• All Saints' Church of England Primary School, Dovercourt,
• Holland Haven Primary School,
• Chase Lane Primary School and Nursery,
• Engaines Primary School and Nursery,
• Walton Primary School.

The Year 11 leavers in our supplement attend Clacton County High School, Honywood Community Science School, St Benedict's Catholic College, The Gilberd School and The Ramsey Academy, Halstead.