Proud parents marked the occasion on Thursday by snapping photos of their little ones in their uniforms – some being worn for the very first time as youngsters made their way to new schools.
To continue this annual celebration, readers of The News shared their back-to-school photos by the dozen in a bid to be featured in our special September photo gallery.
We’ve published them here, across 11 pages, to celebrate youngsters’ step up into a new school year.
Be sure to click through all the pages to see if your child is featured, or help a friend out by sending them a link to this story if you spot theirs.
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NOTE: Every photo gallery we publish contains the option to ‘buy a photo’.
However, no pictures from this gallery have been sent to our Photo Sales team – so they are not available to purchase or view elsewhere online.
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Gracie, aged nine, Lee Jr, and Micky, aged eight. Photo: Samantha Connell
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured are Amelie and Winnie, aged six. Photo: Emily Linden
. Portsmouth back to school photos, September 2021
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Amie, now in primary school. Photo: Becky Redman
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Aria, aged four. Photo: Chelsea Sharpless
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Bella, aged nine. Photo: Natasha Wynne
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Betsy-Blue, aged six. Photo: Stacey Attrill
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Cassie, now in Year 2. Photo: Gemma Elizabeth
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Dottie, aged five. Photo: Katie Allen
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Ethan, aged seven. Photo: Rachel Street
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Freya, aged 10. Photo: Claire Butcher
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is George, aged seven. Photo: Sophie Farmer
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Grace, six. Photo: Lydia Armstrong
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Hattie, aged seven. Photo: Keely Cordwell
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Isabelle, aged seven. Photo: Amy Byrne
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Joby, now in Year 6, and Wyatt, now in Year 1. Photo: Aime Jeffrey
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Kallum, aged seven, and Shayla, aged 10. Photo: Amy-Louise Newman
. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Lexie, aged seven. Photo: Emma Jones
1. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured are Amelie and Winnie, aged six. Photo: Emily Linden
2. Portsmouth back to school photos, September 2021
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Amie, now in primary school. Photo: Becky Redman
3. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Aria, aged four. Photo: Chelsea Sharpless
4. Portsmouth back to school photos
Parents from across the Portsmouth area shared photos as their children returned to school after the summer holiday on Thursday, September 2, 2021. Pictured is Bella, aged nine. Photo: Natasha Wynne