We can all agree that 2020 has been a year like no other for schools, with teachers and students alike trying to navigate online learning, Covid bubbles and self-isolation.
Despite the restrictions, many schools have been determined to keep the festive spirit alive with creative Covid-safe socially distanced and virtual celebrations.
Gifts: What are the 5 best Christmas gifts to get a teacher?
Festive plans: 5 reasons why your pupils need a Christmas quiz this week
End of term: 7 ways to spread Christmas spirit in class ‘bubbles’
Students at Outwood Academy Hemsworth, for example, have produced their own take on an infamous Love Actually scene to send out wishes for a safe and peaceful Christmas.
At this time of year the Creative Faculty at Outwood Academy Hemsworth would normally celebrate Christmas with the community by putting on a school show, but as we couldn’t, we made made a little video to send our message. Merry Christmas everyone. pic.twitter.com/iPD8YvaUrl
- eleanor aldous (@ellybev) December 14, 2020
The video features student Bobby dawdling in the corridor before a detention, watching school carol singers holding placards that read: “Although Christmas may be different, the Creative Faculty at Outwood Academy Hemsworth wants to wish you and your family a safe, peaceful Christmas.”
And students at Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School in South London have developed their own Covid-safe take on the song Winter Wonderland: Walking in a Covid World.
Instead of singing “Here comes Santa Claus / Right down Santa Claus Lane”, students sing: “Here comes sanitiser / Wash those germs away”.
We think this is brilliant... our Leopard Class girls made up their own Christmas hygiene song, to help keep us safe and well over the festive period! ✋??? ? #WashHands pic.twitter.com/3i5VJiRuQD
- Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School (@Holy_TrinityCE) December 17, 2020
And at Paces School in Sheffield, which supports children with neurological conditions, students have sung and signed an uplifting version of Children of the World.
Introducing....our wonderful superstars from Paces School, singing and signing to ‘Children of the World’ ???
Each class have worked super hard with their class Christmas plays and have also come together to do this beautiful performance......tissues ready ?#FeelingProud? pic.twitter.com/C8CGu2hYlk
- Paces (@wearePaces) December 17, 2020
Meanwhile, students at Stoneraise School in Cumbria had a surprise visit from Santa Claus himself, who was delighted by the school’s displays.
“Six main biomes!” he says in geography. “I’ll be travelling over those.”
Absolute hoot making this. Loved it and the reaction as the kids watched it was worth it. Short version for Twitter. pic.twitter.com/8efWJtfcxp
- Clem (@clemcoady) December 11, 2020
And students at Brighton Hill Community School in Basingstoke received an incredible welcome from an army of Santas and elves beneath yellow umbrellas.
This isn’t just any welcome: this is a #YellowArmy welcome. Merry Christmas from all at @BrightonHillSch ??? pic.twitter.com/k1AoxDdRfI
- Chris Edwards (@chrisedwardsuk) December 18, 2020