A rite of passage and an ever-popular social media share, the first day of school is an exciting and nerve-racking day for children and their parents alike.
We posted out a call out for people to get involved in our photographic project on the Guardian website and social media. We went along to catch some of the excitement at the start of their days, and then we went back at the end of the day to find out how they had got on.
Reuben
Reuben was looking forward to the day: “We will have registrations, maths and English. The teachers can help me.”
“I’m now four. I got my school bag for my birthday. In the bag there’s my water bottle, my raincoat and my new PE bag.”
- Reuben and the beginning and end of his first day at school
“I just played and did what Mrs Childs and Mrs Roberts said. I played inside and outside. They had bikes and cars in the shed but we didn’t play with them today. I just played with Finn today. Mrs Childs was doing the register. She has your name on her iPad so she knows who you are. Mrs Childs was in charge I think.”
- Reuben puts on his shoes before school, and later has his tea back at home
Harvey
Harvey Jones getting ready for his first day at Lowercroft primary school in Bury, Manchester.
- Harvey before and after his first day at school
- Harvey getting ready – and on the sofa later at the end of the day
Laurie
We photographed Laurie Wicker-Nixon getting ready at home after her first day at Oswald Road primary school in Chorlton.
“School was good. I’m going to school again tomorrow and the day after but not on Saturday. For dinner I had sausage and mash but I didn’t like the mash. For pudding we had cake with crumbs on top. Some people didn’t eat their cake.”
- Laurie Wicker-Nixon before and after her first day. Below, putting on the new uniform in the morning
Ryan
We photographed Ryan Adhami with his brother Kian who is seven and in year three. They had breakfast together and were keen to be in our before-and-after shot together.
- Ryan with older brother Kian before and after his first day at school
- Name tags at the ready, Ryan and Kian’s shoes
Mohammed
Mohammed Alamer on his first day at Little London Community Centre primary school in Leeds.
- Mohammed before and after his first day
- Mohammed gets ready, and walks to school with his older brother
Grace
Grace Karthauser who is four, lives in Backwell near Bristol. We photographed her getting ready for her first day of school with brothers George (eight) and Sam (six).
- Grace before and after her first day by the front door
Honey
Honey is 4 years old and excited at breakfast before her first day with mum Helen.
- Honey before and after her first day of school. Below: Putting Honey’s coat on, and reflective after the long day
