A student from Laxey School had the rare opportunity of acting as headteacher for a day.

Henry Thomas, aged 10, used his temporary power to treat all students of the school to ice creams on the beach.

The year five pupil explained that he won the experience at the school’s Christmas fair last year after he offered the highest amount in a silent bid.

He said: ’When I found out I thought "I got it! Yay!".’

On the big day, Henry was given a special suit ’with shoulder pads’ and a desk plaque that had ’Mr H Thomas - Headteacher’ inscribed on it.

He was also given the office belonging to executive headteacher of Laxey and Dhoon schools Max Kelly and was supported by the head of Laxey School, Trish Dudley, while he carried out important duties expected of a headteacher.

’On the day the students were saying "hi Mr Thomas" and everyone was standing outside the headteacher’s office door saying "what are you doing in there?",’ he explained.

’I was sitting there doing something on the laptop and they were out there staring at me.

’I was a bit nervous because I had to do an assembly and had to speak in front of Key Stage one (five to seven-year-olds), but I went for it.’

Henry made sure the pupils were cared for throughout the day, inlcluding the year five students out doing their daily mile walk.

’I just went out and started high-fiving them,’ he said.

’There were lessons in the morning before we went to the beach. I thought having a beach day would be nice.’

When asked if he would like to be a headteacher in future, he replied: ’If I won it again, definitely, but if it was for a job then no. I’d like to be a car manufacturer.’

Teachers at the school were impressed at how professional and attentive Henry was as the school leader.

His teacher, Carolyn Hastings, said: ’He was awesome and very convincing.

’He came in early and had his Starbucks and a pain au chocolat while he dealt with paperwork.

’He also answered the phone and dealt with parents’ queries soundly, emailed the staff and made sure everyone knew what was going on.

’Henry also led the school down to the beach and helped them cross the road safely before organising them on the beach and signing the invoice for the ice creams.

’He made decisions on whether the children could go into the sea.

’It was very interesting to watch because the children believed him.

’He led the school very well and it was very brave to take us all down to the beach. He did it all with a smile.’