JOY filled the playgrounds as thousands of socially distanced youngsters raced back to class for lessons and to see friends.

Relieved parents across south Essex took their children back to school yesterday, and teachers were just as pleased to be back in the classrooms.

At Lee Chapel Primary School in Basildon almost all the children returned, with 1,029 of out 1059 attending.

Headteacher Sue Jackson said it went very smoothly and it was a joy to see all the little smiling faces.

She said: “We’ve had toilets added to each classroom and hand dryers and the children wash their hands every hour.

“We were open all the way through pandemic so we didn’t have to change too much for the latest reopening.

“Each year group has its own staffroom too. We’ve already used other rooms for classes but will be working on more classrooms to have fewer children in each room in April.”

She also heavily praised parents, calling for a clap for parents event after all the support and home schooling.

She said they have been amazing and need so much credit.

She added: “We also know where each child is sitting for track and trace.

“It was joyful welcoming them all back and the parents were lovely and very relieved.”

Parents had nothing but high praise for the school and said their children were very excited to return.

Carly Cadojoe, 38, from Basildon, has twins at the school and said: “It’s been great and the drop off and pick up on the first day were really smooth.

“There were no issues with crowding and my children were very excited to get back and see their friends.

“It’s nice to get them back too and they really need it. I think the school dealt with everything really well.”

Leanne Caisey, 39, from Basildon who has one child at the school said it’s good to get them back in the environment.

She said: “Home schooling has been challenging but it’s gone great here with a one way system too. There were no queues or anything and we were very excited to come back to school.

“It’s also nice to see the staff and see how pleased they were too.”

Fellow mum Claire Legg, 38, from Laindon also sang the praises of the staff.

She said: “It was a relief to get my child back to school but also good to start catching up on the learning.

“Although the online teaching was great it also helps having a bit of routine back.

“Arriving and leaving has been pretty good too.”

She said she couldn’t have asked for more in terms or support, online learning and communication.

Southend schools also enjoyed a smooth ride back to classroom learning – with headteachers pleased things went well.

Tonya Brook, headteacher at The Westborough School, Southend said she can’t wait to have the buzz of the children in school.

She added: “We were very pleased to welcome all of the children back to Westborough. We have been open since January providing for the children of vulnerable and keyworker children. They are pleased that their friends have returned.

“The children were happy to return and have enjoyed reconnecting with their teachers and classmates. They have settled well and are getting used to the routines of school.”

Bosses at the Learning in Harmony Trust schools in Southend, including Blenheim, Greenways and Temple Sutton said they are determined to deliver quality education.

They said: “It has been lovely to welcome all of our pupils back to school.

“This period of lockdown has brought challenges for everyone, but as children return, our message to them has been one of reassurance: we are determined to ensure that they are supported to feel safe, be happy and continue learning.

“We want our children to look to their future with confidence and hope; and we want them to know that we are here to support them, every step of the way.”

Secondary schools were not left out with leaders delighted to see youngsters back to study hard.

Katie Scarnell, Principal at Greensward Academy, Hockley, said: “We started our testing last week and, thanks to our amazing support staff and some parent volunteers, by the end of the week had completed over 2,200 tests.

“All the safety measures we had in place before Christmas have been reinstated, with additional hand washing stations, students being taught in zones, additional cleaning measures etc helping to keep everyone safe."