School children have been getting into the festive spirit ahead of Christmas. 

Although a number of schools have not been able to put on their annual nativity plays, staff and pupils have been getting involved in a range of Christmas activities. 

Schools have had pupils dress up in festive costumes, held Christmas jumper days, organised lunches, staged nativity shoots, and even invited Santa Claus and his elves to pay a special visit. 

The Guardian Series shone a light on youngsters in the area and published a 'Christmas in the Classroom' picture special in last week's newspaper. 

To see what school pupils have been up to ahead of December 25, scroll through our gallery at the top of this story.

The schools included in our picture special are:

  • Oaklands School, Loughton
  • Thomas Willingale School, Loughton
  • Braeside School, Buckhurst Hill
  • Matching Green C of E Primary School
  • St John’s C of E Primary School, Buckhurst Hill
  • Coopersale Hall School, Epping
  • Roydon Primary Academy, Harlow
  • Freshwaters Primary Academy, Harlow
  • Little Parndon Primary Academy, Harlow
  • Cooks Spinney Primary Academy, Harlow
  • Our Lady and St Georges Catholic Primary School, Walthamstow
  • Normanhurst School, Chingford
  • St Joseph’s RC Infant School, Leyton
  • Avon House Preparatory School, Woodford Green