Hundreds of thousands of pupils returned to school with a spring in their step this morning after months of remote learning. The hangovers from lockdown were visible: lopsided home haircuts; September’s school uniform now looking a little snug; masks. But as laughter, singing and football filled the playgrounds, these reminders of months cooped up paled in comparison with the relief at the school gates. As one parent put it: “There was an air of happiness around this morning, helped by the feeling of spring”.