Moving schools/saying goodbye

[Cornishqween]

My two children are about to move primary schools after half term.
Ds 9 yrs, is autistic and the current school have let him down repeatedly, we have lost all trust and the relationship between us and school has broken down. Ds has missed many months of school due to ongoing anxiety and unmet needs.
Dd 6 yrs doesn't have Sen, didn't really like the school or her teachers but has a lovely little friendship group.
Wondering how to handle their last day? The school is very rigid and I know they won't allow them to bring sweets for them to give out to their friends. I want them to say goodbye and to make their last day a positive memory after months of hell there. Have a play date planned for dds friends to come over in the last week. Nothing as yet for ds - it's more tricky with him. He has two close friends but is very much the odd one out in class and the children haven't been kind to him the last few years. Anyone have any ideas?

I think the play date for DD is enough I wouldn't bother trying to do anything at the school, it doesn't sound like it would be well received and it doesn't sound like anyone (you or the kids) is particularly sad about leaving.

Thanks @Hellocatshome

It's just been such a crap time I wanted things to not be more crap.

There's no love lost though - they'll miss their mates but nothing else

Following as I have a similar situation coming up soon.

We moved our 6 year old schools this time last year because he had been failed by that school. I wouldn’t overthink it too much. Make it a positive move to the new school and try not to dwell too much on the farewell part. He doesn’t really remember his old school, but does remember not feeling well supported or having many friends there. If you’re sure it’s for the best then go bright and breezy and try not to even give it a backward glance. The kids will look to you for how they should feel.

How about suggesting a trip to the local park or castle or whatever straight from school and give them all the sweets they want to whoever can make it.

Agree with pompomseverywhere - party at the park after school. We had a lovely one for Y6s last summer, when they couldn't have much else due to covid restrictions.

Been there, done that - to be honest, I felt that destroyed by the whole thing it was all I could do to walk out of there with the kids holding their heads high. Made worse by the head who literally turned her back on my 9 year old as we left - which was one of the reasons we were leaving because she was an appalling woman.

I don't regret moving them - since we did it sounds like the old school have gone even more to shit - it hurt me more than it hurt them in the longer term I think.

You could send a basket of fruit in for each class if the school doesnt allow sweets.