The story of Christmas is returning to school halls this festive season as pupils gear up to perform the nativity.

Pupils at Clifford Road Primary School, in Ipswich, have been busy strutting their stuff in a truly show-stopping performance.

Ipswich Star: Mary and Joseph, Nylah and Arlo, with the baby as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYMary and Joseph, Nylah and Arlo, with the baby as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Photographers from the Ipswich Star visited the school ahead of our 'Stars of Christmas' pull-out special.

These are some behind the scenes of the school's reception class' dress rehearsal.

Ipswich Star: The girls playing the glittering starsThe girls playing the glittering stars (Image: Archant 2021)

The shepherds watched their flocks, the kings travelled upon their camels and the heavenly angels sang as Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem on their trusted donkey.

Ipswich Star: The shepherds and their sheep around the fire as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe shepherds and their sheep around the fire as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Ipswich Star: The shepherds and their sheep look for the star as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe shepherds and their sheep look for the star as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

The four-year-olds were ready to put on an incredible show, which will be viewed by proud family members.

It is one of many productions taking place this Christmas.

Ipswich Star: Some of the angels as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYSome of the angels as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Ipswich Star: Camels and kings, from left, Leah, Premaj, Evie, Ted, Margot and Bear, as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYCamels and kings, from left, Leah, Premaj, Evie, Ted, Margot and Bear, as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Ipswich Star: Three stars, Simon, Bellamy, and Mason, as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThree stars, Simon, Bellamy, and Mason, as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Ipswich Star: A few of the animals as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYA few of the animals as the Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Ipswich Star: The girls playing the glittering stars in the Clifford Road Primary School as the reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe girls playing the glittering stars in the Clifford Road Primary School as the reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Ipswich Star: The Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Clifford Road Primary School reception children, all four-years-old, rehearse their nativity. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Clifford Road is among the many schools taking part in our Stars of Christmas eight-page pullout, find it in the Ipswich Star tomorrow.