School reception class photos in Watford area from 1997

Children have now returned to school following the end of the summer holidays and the start of a new academic year is the ideal opportunity to take a dip into our archive and look back at reception class pictures of the past.

These pictures were taken by Watford Observer photographers for our popular My First Day supplement, with dozens published in the edition covering the September 1997 intake of new pupils.

If you were one of them, scroll through the pictures on this page and you may spot yourself.

• School gets 'outstanding' in ALL areas in glowing Ofsted
• Memories of 'the friendliest school I have ever worked at'

The reception classes from these schools are featured: Beechfield; Bournehall; Bushey Heath; Chater; Eastbury Farm; Greenfields; Holywell; Knutsford; Little Furze; Meriden; Newberries; Orchard; Oxhey; Oxhey Wood; Sacred Heart; St Anthonys; St Josephs; St Meryl; Warren Dell; Watford Fields; Woodhall.

Beechfield (Image: Watford Observer)

Bournehall (Image: Watford Observer)

Bushey Heath (Image: Watford Observer)

Chater (Image: Watford Observer)

Eastbury Farm (Image: Watford Observer)

Greenfields (Image: Watford Observer)

Holywell (Image: Watford Observer)

Knutsford (Image: Watford Observer)

Little Furze (Image: Watford Observer)

Meriden (Image: Watford Observer)

Newberries (Image: Watford Observer)

Orchard (Image: Watford Observer)

Oxhey (Image: Watford Observer)

Oxhey Wood (Image: Watford Observer)

Sacred Heart (Image: Watford Observer)

St Anthonys (Image: Watford Observer)

St Josephs (Image: Watford Observer)

St Meryl (Image: Watford Observer)

Warren Dell (Image: Watford Observer)

Watford Fields (Image: Watford Observer)

Woodhall (Image: Watford Observer)