‘It was so beautiful I could’ve cried’: Sheffield teachers and kids delighted to be back in school

For some schools, it was a quite emotional moment as the sounds of children laughing and talking could be heard reverberating around the walls of the buildings once again.

Broomhill Infant School's headteacher Catherine Timbers said: "On Monday when all the children returned, it was so beautiful I could've cried. It was quite emotional to have them all back.

"I was really pleased to see that we are starting to have some sense of normality and get them excited about learning."

She said the school has been utilising its award-winning wildlife garden 'Forest School' that allows the children to engage with their surroundings in a woodland setting since Monday.

This, she said, allows the children to rebuild their growth in motor skills, especially after being stuck at home for so long.

"There is a good proportion of children who live in flats and they need the freedom to build their motor skills again and they need to be outside, learning and challenging themselves physically and mentally."

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Ecclesall Primary School has the same approach, where the returning children are given the liberty to enjoy what they love to do apart from usual lessons so they could readjust themselves to the surroundings.

Called the 'wellbeing time', Deputy Headteacher Guy Willatt said the children are given the time to read, to do some colouring or even knitting.

"Taking care of their wellbeing is our priority at the moment and we are taking that very seriously so they could play, converse with each other and support them whenever we can."

Although the infection rates across the city are continuing to fall, these schools are still observing the existing precautionary measures like they have been doing previously.

Acres Hill Primary School headteacher, Catherine Whittingam said the children and the staff remember all the rules they had in place since September the minute they walked through the gates.

"We have a one-way system around school and we have extra cleaning schedules in place. We also have extra cleaning schedules in place and working in bubbles.

"We also spend more time outside and we are so excited to have them back. This is very much the right time (for them to return to the school)."

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For St Wilfrids Primary School, having the children back close to 100 percent attendance on the first day means they were off to a great start.

"It is good because we were operating from September with the bubbles and these protective measures in place so we will continue practising them.

"The children are settled back really well although some find it a bit difficult adjusting because they are used to learning on their own at home."

Asked if he was concerned about infections in school, he said: "We are always worried because we've been through this several times now.

"With the school and society reopening, we need to wait for a couple of weeks to see the impact of the decisions. But the numbers are pretty low in this area and we are seeing the impact of the lockdown."

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.