IT looked like a scene straight out of a British film classic.
Anyone witnessing the sight of scores of Minis zipping by would have been reminded of the classic scene from The Italian Job.
But rather than being used to give chase these vehicles were actually serving as transport for dozens of excited children.
The convoy of 19 of the little cars were used to give 57 children at Rowley Lane Junior, Infant and Nursery School a lift to their school leavers’ prom.
Parents of the Year 6 children came up with the novel idea after being inspired by this year’s World Cup to come up with a Footballers, Wags and Bling theme for the party.
Headteacher Carol Martin explained: “The parents put their heads together to come up with the theme and the idea was that the children come dressed up as footballers and wags and wearing lots of bling.
“Each year we pick eight lucky children out of a hat to arrive in a limousine at the prom.
“But this year because of the World Cup we decided to do something different. The parents thought of the Italian Job and that it would be a nice idea to have the red, white and blue Minis because they tied in with the England colours.”
But then staff and parents came up with an even better idea of making the prom an event to remember for the children – by making sure all of the children arrived at the party in style.
Mrs Martin said: “We looked around our car park and realised a lot of our staff and parents had Minis.
“So we decided that instead of having eight children arrive at the school in style we would arrange for all 57 to arrive in a Mini convoy.”
Between them staff and parents managed to find seventeen Minis to take the youngsters to their Lepton school.
Staff at Sandal Mini in Almondbury provided two extra cars to make up the 19 vehicles needed to transport all the children.
The children were not let in on the secret until last minute, told only that they were going to meet in the car park of Lepton Highlanders Sports Club on Wakefield Road.
Mrs Martin said: “They arrived to see all the Minis parked side by side and three of the children got into each one.
“They then travelled down Wakefield Road in the convoy and turned together into Rowley Lane to arrive at the school.
“The cars were a really spectacular sight. The police were there to help and make sure that the convoy didn’t break.
“It did look like something out of the film, there were Minis of all types and colours.
“The children absolutely loved it. Their arrival was so stylish that it looked like they were being dropped off at the Baftas!”
Friends Kate Shaw, Bryana Clarkson and Cydnae Taylor, all 11, shared one of the cars.
Kate said: “It was so exciting when we saw the Minis – my mum had told me we were coming on a coach!
“It was lots of fun, we were all coming down the road beeping and the England flags fell off our car and got run over!”
Cydnae added: “There were a lot of people watching us and there was a really fun atmosphere.
“It was a really good surprise and much better than a limo!”
