School leavers: How to say goodbye to your friends

As the Premier League season draws to a close there will be some fond farewells as players – and possibly managers – move on.

Liverpool legend Mo Salah and his teammate Andy Robertson are calling time on their Anfield careers, while Séamus Coleman will leave Everton after seventeen years.

Manchester City icons Bernardo Silva and John Stones will be leaving The Etihad at the end of the season, and it's widely expected Pep Guardiola is leaving Man City too. Pep's honours list at City includes six Premier League trophies and one Champions League win, so he'll be a hard act to follow.

Many students will also be leaving school this summer, so Bitesize Study Support thought we'd take a look at some ways you can say goodbye to your friends and celebrate your time at school.

Go to your leavers' assembly

Many schools will organise a leavers' assembly or ceremony. This is a good chance to celebrate your achievements during your time at school, thank your teachers and look back at embarrassing photo slide shows – were you really that small in your first year? It will be emotional, so bring some tissues!

Get your yearbook signed

Lots of schools have official year books – but if your school doesn't, then why not create your own? Decorate a hardback notebook using stickers and colourful pens. It's a good idea to make special sections in the book for quotes, teachers, or clubs and teams, and leave plenty of space for photos!

Top tip: When your friends and teachers sign the book you'll want to make sure they use quick-dry pens, like ballpoints or gel pens to avoid smudging and page-bleed.

Sign shirts

Some schools and parents won't allow shirt signing, so check first, but signing shirts can be a fun and memorable way to sign off from school. Permanent marker is usually best for signing, and you should not wash the shirt once it has been signed. Some schools may ask you to bring in a spare shirt.

If your school doesn't allow shirt signing, you may be able to purchase a leavers' hoodie instead.

Write goodbye letters

A goodbye letter can be a heartfelt way to say goodbye to friends, teachers or members of staff at your school. Letter writing is really powerful and can help you get down your thoughts and feelings of gratitude towards those you care about. You could even write a letter to your future self.

Letter-writing can help put difficult moments in context. You can calmly lay down all of the things that happened and make the memories easier for you to look back on.

Record a memory video

If you're forever taking photos and making videos on your phone then you could use an editing app to put together a memory video that you can share with your friends and teachers. Music choice can make a real difference to how the video feels, if you want to keep it fun then use some upbeat music, whereas piano music can turn up the emotions.

If there is a song that is particularly meaningful to you and your friends, then that can add a personal touch to the video.

Organise a class picnic or BBQ

A group meal, like a picnic or barbecue is a great way to sign off from your friends (Even if you might see them again soon or move to the same school as them!). It's a good idea to put a plan in place with a few friends, but you should assign foods to different people in your class so that no one person has to bring everything.

Make sure you take any allergies, intolerances and dietary preferences into account when making your shopping list so that nobody feels left out.

Hold a photoshoot

Photoshoots don't have to be super formal – although some schools will have formal leavers' photos – just grab your phone and a ring light or two, if you have them, and head to the school hall, field, or anywhere really!

Invite as many friends and teachers as you want to come along. You could make some props or signs before your photoshoot – get creative, and remember to smile!

Have a bucket list day

A bucket list day is a chance for you and your friends to have fun and celebrate the end of exams and school. Get together with your mates and write yourself a list, if there is something that you really want to do then put it down! Then find a day when you are all available and tick off as many of the ideas as you can.

If you are stuck for inspo, we have an A-Z summer 2026 bucket list that you can use.

Keep in touch

The end of school doesn't have to be the end of a friendship, and you can still keep in touch with mates even if they go to a different sixth form, college or start an apprenticeship. If you are worried about making friends in new scenarios, then we have plenty of tips on how to make friends – check them out!

If you need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.