'It's brilliant to see everyone back': Lots of happy faces reunite as Northampton primary school returns for new term

Headteacher, Carolyn Fairbrother, was the first person to welcome all 85 eager children back into her school for the first time since lockdown in March.

As many children in Northampton go back to school for the first time in nearly six months, pupils are getting used to the subtle differences now put in place to keep them safe.

But one thing remains a constant, the well-known-and-loved bright red Little Houghton jumpers.

Day one at Little Houghton Primary School involved a staggered drop-off with children lining up one-by-one to head beyond the school gates into their new classroom set up.

Nursery and reception pupils (class one) and year 3 and 4 pupils (class three) were asked to arrive from 8.45am, whereas year 1 and 2 children (class two) and year 5 and 6 children (class four) entered a little later on at 8.55am.

Mrs Fairbrother said: "It's brilliant to see everybody back. The majority of the children looked extremely happy, I think it's more parents who are more anxious than children.

"I think when the children see their friends, they are going to be so delighted to be back in school and I think they will very quickly settle."

Classrooms for the children now appear visibly differently as tables are all front-facing and precautions including restrictions in the playground are in force as pupils stick to their bubbles and zones.

Although all of the children have not been in the same building together at once since the pandemic but the opportunity was given for respective year groups to return for one week to get to know their new teacher and one-way systems.

Carolyn added: "For a lot of them, it is familiar now, the routine is familiar, even the arrival at the gates, the distancing and knowing which entrances and exits they are using is all very familar because they had the opportunity to practise before the summer. That is important.

"A lot of parents did take up that offer, and sent their children in, which we are really pleased about. I think it shows the confidence that parents have in us that actually they feel that their children are going to be safe when they come back to school.

"I think for a small school we are really proud of the fact that we could offer schooling for every single child before the summer holidays."

Mum, Kelly Hamp, was also stood at the school gates holding her toddler as she waved goodbye to her other son, five-year-old Zack.

She said: "He is a little nervous but he is very excited as well to be back with his friends.

"He came back the beginning of July for a couple of days to get him used to it really and then he's been off while I homeschool him. It's been a challenge at times but he did do well, bless him.

"We feel safe here, there's really good measures in place and the staff have been working really hard, so hopefully we should be fine."