School-run parents share hopes for year ahead

Children, including many born during lockdown, have been starting school this week

As a new school year begins, parents have been sharing their hopes for the term ahead - and the costs of kitting out their children for the classroom.

The BBC spoke to them on the school run in March, Cambridgeshire.

'It's been a different challenge'

Dad-of two Lewis Greening said he was excited about his younger child starting school

Lewis Greening, 40, is a dad of two from March.

His son is a "lockdown baby", born during the Covid pandemic when opportunities for social interaction were limited by national rules.

He started reception class on Thursday.

"It's been a different challenge compared to my eight-year-old," said Mr Greening.

"Particularly, when he was little, he wasn't able to access baby groups so his development has followed a different trajectory.

"But he is more or less on course with where our eight-year-old was."

He said it was hard to know whether developmental differences were due to his being a boy or lockdown itself.

"But as he progresses this year, we'll see where his development is compared to his sister and counterparts at school," said Mr Greening.

"He's just turned four and whilst he's technically one of the youngest in his year group, I think he is generally on par with them."

On lockdown, he said: "The true impact of it - you don't necessarily see until you reach a point where they are assessed at school but, like I say, he's a normal little boy and he's doing well.

"He's excited and we are excited for him."

'People are struggling'

Christine Lewis said her son was a "confident boy" who was looking forward to the new term

Christine Lewis, 52, also from March, said her son, 11, was excited to start at Neale-Wade Academy in the town.

"He's a confident boy," she said.

She said parents were feeling the effects of the cost of living when buying school clothing and equipment.

"People are struggling and people are having to think about where the pennies are going," she said.

"When my eldest started school seven years ago we were looking at about £220 and buying shirts and trousers from places like Tesco and Asda.

"But with my youngest child, so far I've probably spent about £100 or so."

'It's cost a fortune'

Clare Court said sending her children back to school had been expensive

Clare Court, 45, also from March, said kitting out her three children - aged 10, eight and six - for school had been expensive.

"It's cost a fortune; probably about £100," she said.

She said she had been trying to find cheaper options wherever possible.