Hilsea family captures pandemic-themed back to school photograph ahead of new school year

Hoping to ease her children into the new school year, mum-of-three Nikki Gatrell took the snap of her older children wearing face masks and bright yellow rain ponchos to prepare for their return.

Schools in Portsmouth and Hampshire are returning this week, after closing to the majority of children in March.

Classes will be quite different to earlier this year, as year groups are set to be kept apart for social distancing and some schools will require children to wear masks in the corridors.

Eight-year-old Alex is applying hand gel in the pandemic-themed photograph while her brother Jax, 10, stands next to her and looks determined while spraying air freshener ahead of their return to Newbridge Junior School in Fratton.

Creative photographer Nikki took the family photo using a remote trigger, capturing herself and youngest child Rae-Dallas in the background of the gloomy-yet-amusing image, which is part of a series they have taken during the pandemic to capture what life has been like.

Nikki, who is about to start a degree in adult nursing at the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘We always like to do a fun photo and have done a few representing life as a parent during lockdown. This year back to school means something different for us all.

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‘I think after almost seven months of having our children home, many of us can't wait to take them back to school and the children have equally missed friends, but this year has many parents fearful due to the pandemic and want to protect our children best we can.

‘This year’s back to school photo is meant to show how it feels like we should be sending our kids back, almost like they are going to war.’

Last year, the family posed for a funny picture for the return to school, which saw Alex being dragged into the car by mum Nikki as she hangs onto the railings outside their home, with Jax in the background trying to escape.

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