Image of Year 2 Maths: Arithmetic Practice
31 Mar

Year 2 Maths: Arithmetic Practice

Our Year 2 mathematicians have been sharpening their arithmetic skills! We’ve been exploring a whole "toolbox" of different strategies to help us solve calculations quickly and accurately. It wasn't just about getting the right answer, but finding the most efficient way to get there.

Image of Year 2 Geography: Collect and Present Data
31 Mar

Year 2 Geography: Collect and Present Data

Our Year 2 geographers were out doing fieldwork to investigate the wildlife and plants right on our doorstep! We’ve been busy collecting primary data to see exactly what shares our local environment, from moss and grass to ants and flies.

Image of Year 6: English - Explanation Texts
30 Mar

Year 6: English - Explanation Texts

This week in English, Year 6 will be writing an explanation text - to explain to the reader about the historical significance of the Maya Civilisation. They are focussing on the accuracy of their punctuation when including the grammatical features taught this term.

Image of Year 6: JAM Challenge
30 Mar

Year 6: JAM Challenge

Year 6 have created some amazing artwork in response to the Easter story, they focussed on using Christian iconography of the butterfly to represent the resurrection of Jesus.

Image of Nursery/Pre-school- Art And Design-Workshop-Making Flower Perfume
30 Mar

Nursery/Pre-school- Art And Design-Workshop-Making Flower Perfume

Little perfumers at work! Our workshop table was buzzing last week as the children created their very own custom flower scents. From sniping and pulling to pinching and squeezing, they put those fine and gross motor skills to the test! By exploring their five senses, every child mixed up a unique, flowery potion that was perfectly them.

Image of Year 5 PE - OAA: Teamwork Challenges!
25 Mar

Year 5 PE - OAA: Teamwork Challenges!

Mission Impossible? Not for Year 5! Our PE lessons have been all about teamwork this term! We’ve been putting our communication skills under the microscope with some tricky "Cooperation Challenges." From describing complex equipment layouts to partners who couldn't see them, to the nerve-wracking "Skipping Rope Bridge" football roll, the children have had to be assertive and patient. These tasks were incredibly tough, but the buzz of excitement when that football finally reached the end was amazing! We are so proud of the grit and collaborative spirit on display. Who knew PE could be such a brain-teaser?

Image of Year 2 Science: Testing Stretchiness
25 Mar

Year 2 Science: Testing Stretchiness

Our Year 2 scientists put materials to the ultimate test! Working in expert teams, we investigated which everyday items have the best elasticity. From paper and string to plastic and rubber, the children used their "fair testing" skills to see which would snap and which would stretch! Brilliant observations and even better teamwork, Year 2!

Image of Year 2 English: Creating Adjectives
25 Mar

Year 2 English: Creating Adjectives

Year 2 took their English lesson outside today to transform our playground with comparative and superlative adjectives! Using colourful chalk, the children turned the tarmac into a giant word map. They described how our playground looks now and how they want it to look in the future using the -er and -est suffixes. It was a brilliant way to see our learning in action while reimagining our school space!

Image of Year 6: English - Crime and Detective Novels
25 Mar

Year 6: English - Crime and Detective Novels

This week in English, Year 6 have been putting their plans into action and have started writing their own detective story. The creativity, character development and plot twists are amazing to read!

Image of Year 5 PSHE - Rights and Respect at Home, at School and in the Local Community
25 Mar

Year 5 PSHE - Rights and Respect at Home, at School and in the Local Community

Rights and Respect: Empowering the Citizens of Tomorrow In PSHE this week, Year 5 have been exploring the fundamental concepts of rights and respect. We began by establishing a clear system of definitions: understanding that 'rights' are the entitlements every person should be afforded, while 'respect' is the active practice of acknowledging the needs and wishes of others. The children applied these definitions to their own lives, categorising their unique rights and responsibilities within three key areas: at home, in school, and throughout the wider local community. Working collaboratively in pairs, the pupils engaged in deep discussion before presenting their findings to the class with confidence. It was a marvellous opportunity for our young citizens to reflect on how showing respect for the environment and for each other creates a more harmonious society.

Image of Year 6: Geography - Solar Farm Debate
25 Mar

Year 6: Geography - Solar Farm Debate

This week in Geography, Year 6 have put together their previous learning and had a debate around the issue of solar farms. We used voice 21 talk tactics to instigate, build and challenge each other during the debate. Some really interesting points were raised!

25 Mar

Year 1 - PSHE - What Will Happen to our Community if We Don't Look After It?

We had a fantastic PSHE session in Year 1 this week! We were delighted to welcome Fatima from Blackburn with Darwen Council, who came in to talk to the children about the importance of caring for our local community. The children had some very thoughtful discussions about what might happen to our parks and streets if we didn't look after them. To help put their learning into practice, they became recycling experts!  What we got up to: Big Discussions: Thinking about the impact of litter on our environment. Material Sorting: Learning how to identify different materials like paper, plastic, and metal. Recycling Challenge: Sorting through rubbish to see what can be reused or recycled instead of thrown away. The children had a brilliant session and have come away with lots of new ideas on how to keep Darwen clean and tidy. A huge thank you to Fatima for such an engaging and inspiring visit! #DarwenStJames #Year1 #PSHE #CaringForOurCommunity #Recycle #KeepDarwenTidy #NurturingAmbition