From a virtual Santa visit to the socially distanced ringing of sleigh bells ... Boston-area school finds a way to celebrate Christmas amid Covid-19

Sibsey Primary School held a range of imaginative activities in the run-up to the Christmas holidays to raise seasonal cheer amid covid-19 restrictions.

They included:

* A virtual visit by Father Christmas (with gifts donated by the school’s parent committee, the Friends of Sibsey).

* Virtual Christmas cards – filmed messages from staff and pupils for others at the school, shared via online assemblies.

* Mass sleigh bell ringing – pupils ringing sleigh bells in socially distanced groups on the school field (watch at tinyurl.com/SibseyBells). This was inspired by a campaign for people to go outside their homes on Christmas Eve to ring bells to help send Santa on his way. The sets of bells – more than 170, one for every pupil – were donated by Sibsey’s Benton Brothers Transport.

* A filmed Nativity as a surprise for parents, with each class in the school providing different sections.

* Messages to residents – a letter or picture from every pupil to local care home residents and others in the area who might be vulnerable or lonely.

* A raffle organised by the Friends of Sibsey, which raised almost £700.

Headteacher Graeme Wright said: “Although we’ve not been able to do all the things we would normally do, we’ve tried to find a way to still have a great Christmas!”