SCHOOLS across Wharfedale and the rest of the country have been welcoming pupils back this week, although in high schools it has been a phased return to allow Covid testing of students to take place.

Pupils at one Ilkley primary school were welcomed back on Monday with a lovely surprise.

The Friends of Ashlands Primary School generously organised rainbow balloon arches over each entrance which brought a smile to everyone who walked through the gates of the Leeds Road school - children, parents and staff alike.

Nicola Holmes, Chair of Friends, said: “It has been a challenging time for everyone but the rainbow is a symbol of hope and of unity.

“Both the school and Friends of Ashlands wanted to make a lasting memory of the return to school for the children and send a message to the wider school community that we are in this together.”

Head teacher of Ashlands Primary School Andrew Soutar said: “It was really wonderful to see all the children back in school. They have come back full of excitement to see their friends and teachers after being at home in this Lockdown. A huge thank you to all of our families for their work in the pandemic and their supreme efforts with Home Schooling. Their encouragement has made it possible for everyone to keep going. Whilst we are hopefully coming to the end of the pandemic we think it is important for future generations to remember these times and we are asking children to note down a lockdown memory that we will be putting into a time capsule that we hope will remain buried in the school grounds for 20 years.

“We also have a number of other activities planned over the coming weeks to support the children in their transition back to school and as part of our focus on wellbeing we will be looking at the book ‘The Boy, the mole, the fox and the horse’. To support this, Friends have kindly agreed to provide each child with a postcard message of hope for the children to send to a person they are missing and we hope to also send cards to others in our community. Finally, we will conclude the term with a whole school breakfast before Easter too.”

Local family run balloon decorating company (Gasbags Balloons & Events) installed rainbow balloons.