Villagers in Great and Little Broughton will be turning out to welcome back Broughton Primary School pupils as they return to school on Monday.

Following an idea by the Rev Canon Godfrey Butland, the community is being asked to show its support for children, staff and parents at 8.55am by sounding car horns and clapping the children as they walk in to school. The church bell will also sound at 8.55am to begin the 'toot for teachers.'

Rev Butland and members of Christ Church prayer group will give their good wishes through prayer. He said: "A dozen of us will gather in two groups on Sunday evening around the school building, with everyone suitably distanced and I shall also lead a short liturgy. We’ve consulted with the school’s headteacher throughout as we wanted to make sure that everything was acceptable. We know staff are absolutely delighted and feel very encouraged to have such a strong sense of support.”

A post box outside of the school will collect good wishes from the community.

Headteacher Mrs Bewsher said: “This support really does mean the world to me and all of our staff. It makes us feel very much appreciated in what has been a really stressful time. A priority for us is to have really good links with the wider community. It’s plain to see that we’ve got them – with the church and all those who live in the village. It’s fantastic to have this level of support.”

The post box will be left outside at the weekend, with greetings messages being given to the school for a keepsake.

This is the first year in post for headteacher Anna Bewsher who has already had a successful Ofsted inspection only nine weeks after starting and has since had to deal with the school’s temporary closure due to COVID-19.

On Monday her school will open teaching ‘bubbles’ for pupils in Nursery, Reception, Year 1, Year 6 and those children of key workers. In total 53 children are expected to attend.

And for Godfrey, the Sunday evening prayers, the posting of messages of support and the sounding of car horns will reinforce a mission to share God’s blessing.

He added: “God wants us to turn to him, to receive his touch on our lives. In return we try to live in a way that pleases God and blesses our neighbours. That’s what ‘s behind all of this.”