Modern take on an age-old story at Hawes primary school

There were no angels and no nativity acted out as in past years, but head teacher Hanna Vasey says the school was determined that “the true meaning of Christmas” would not be lost.

Two of the youngest pupils performed the Christmas story with the Small World nativity set, complete with a manger and a donkey, and the vicar, the Revd Dave Clark and his wife, Sarah, brought the Christingle to life from the vicarage dining-room: she on the keyboard, he sporting an elf costume, fairy-light headdress and an angel earring, while explaining the Christian symbolism of the decorated orange. It’s available on YouTube: search Upper Wensleydale Benefice.

In a nod to the secular celebrations, traditional nativity costumes for shepherds and wise men were replaced with modern Christmas jumpers, sporting everything from reindeer, robins, penguins and even a dragon.

Meanwhile a child from each of the four classes – nursery, reception, years one and two – staged a mini-play in the hall, which can be seen on the school website.

“Even though we’ve worked within the government guidelines, our learning hasn’t suffered,” said Ms Vasey. “In fact it’s given us an opportunity to look at things from a different perspective.

“Small World Play is where children use small life-like toys to retell a story. We have a Playmobile stable set and after we have told the children the story of the first Christmas, we encourage them to 'act it out' and play it in their own words.”