Children were in for a big surprise when they returned to school this week, as they found an additional welcome awaiting them. Pupils at Arlecdon, Dearham, Flimby and Thornhill primary schools were delighted to discover furry friends located in their classrooms. With the combined support of the schools’ PTAs and The West Lakes Multi-Academy Trust a teddy bear was purchased for each child and customised for each of the four primary schools with the school logos emblazoned on the teddy bears’ t-shirts. The schools, aware that children may have mixed emotions about returning, with some excited and others anxious, hoped that the bears would be a supportive and entertaining way to help them settle back into their school routine.