PUPILS and staff said farewell to Mountjoy House private school with a special concert.

The school, on New North Road in Huddersfield, closed down at the end of summer term because of a lack of pupils.

Staff said that now many schools were taking children from the age of three there was no longer a need for private preparatory schools.

When it closed Mountjoy House had just 23 pupils, aged three to 11.

The farewell concert took place at Holy Trinity Church on Trinity Street. It featured singing, dancing and instrument playing from all pupils.

Staff members performed in a band, The Joybirds.

The concert was followed by a supper.

Bev Smith, who taught the three to six-year-old pupils, said: “It was a very emotional evening, but a wonderful concert at the same time.”

Mountjoy House also held its last annual trophy presentation day.

Pupils were given awards for academic achievements, as well as for success in sport, music, dancing and personal challenges.