PRE-SCHOOL children in Clydebank have missed out on their official ‘graduation’ to primary school this month due to the lockdown – but that hasn’t stopped at least one youngster from celebrating the big moment.

Finlay Howie’s mum, Linzi, told the Post how not hugging his grandparents and keeping a two metre distance has become the norm, but he misses being able to play with his friends.

The five-year-old was due to graduate from Gavinburn Nursery on June 17, but missed out because of the lockdown rules which have kept normal nursery classes empty since March.

Linzi instead decided to invite family around to have a celebration on Saturday, June 13 to make up for Finlay missing his classmates.

She invited some of his family and he enjoyed eating cake and bouncing on a bouncy castle in the garden.

She said: “His graduation day would have been today at nursery and we were meant to fly out to Mexico so he has missed out on so much.

“However, seeing his wee face on Saturday was amazing.

“We told him he had a surprise – then on Saturday, when it was all ready, I told him to come out, and he had the biggest smile ever.

“He said that this was the best day of lockdown.

“It’s been hard telling him how he can’t see any of his friends and how things have changed so much, but he has picked it up so well and he knows that he can’t cuddle any of his friends or family and has to stay two metres away from them.

“He also knows he needs to always wash his hands and as he just gets on with it.

“It’s sad to think he will be starting school in August and he will not get the send off he’s meant to get with all his friends and family.”

Finlay – who has also missed out on a family holiday to Mexico because of the travel ban – will now go to Gavinburn Primary in August, with schools due to return with a ‘blended learning’ approach on August 12.

Before then, he’ll have a chance to say goodbye to his nursery, and meet his new P1 teacher, at his ‘transition’ day today, Wednesday, June 24.

Schools are expected to return for the new term with all primary school pupils enjoying two days at school, while high school students will attend for one or two days, depending on their year group.

It is not yet known how long this approach will last before schools return to normal.

West Dunbartonshire Council have told parents and carers that individual schools’ head teachers will contact them to advise when their children will attend.