NSPCC Number Day - Our Nifty Number Outfits!
Count Us In for NSPCC Number Day! Our school was looking a little different today as we swapped our usual uniforms for a sea of digits and mathematical patterns! From our youngest learners in Preschool to our eldest in Year 6, everyone joined in the fun to celebrate the NSPCC’s Number Day. It was wonderful to see the creativity on display, with both children and staff wearing their favourite numbers to help raise vital funds for the NSPCC’s "Speak Out, Stay Safe" programme. Whether it was a football jersey, a hand-decorated t-shirt, or even a giant birthday number 7, the whole school community came together to prove that there really is safety in numbers. A huge thank you to all our families for your brilliant efforts with the outfits and for your kind donations. It’s a fantastic day of problem-solving and numbers, all for a very important cause.
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Reception- Science-Bug Hunt and More
In the vibrant world of our Reception classroom, young scientists transform into intrepid explorers as they venture outdoors equipped with magnifying glasses to uncover the secrets of the undergrowth. This hands-on "bug hunt" allowed the children to develop keen observation skills, peering through lenses to identify the intricate patterns on a beetle’s wing or the rhythmic movement of a centipede. By investigating these tiny creatures in their natural environments, students begin to understand biological habits and physical features firsthand. This curiosity seamlessly transitioned back into the classroom, where the tactile learning continued. Children consolidate their findings by sculpting their own imaginative insects and engineering detailed micro-habitats within the sand tray, bridging the gap between scientific inquiry and creative expression.
Reception- Music- Putting On A Performance
Throughout the term, our Reception children have embarked on a rhythmic journey, steadily building a foundational understanding of musical theory through play and exploration. By experimenting with a variety of percussion instruments and vocal exercises, they have mastered the ability to distinguish between high and low tones, maintain a steady consistent beat, and speed. This musical progression culminated in a vibrant "Showcase Day," where the children took the lead in their learning. Each child selected a song that resonated with them, demonstrating remarkable independence and self-expression. Performing in front of their peers, the children displayed a surge in confidence, accurately applying their knowledge of tempo and rhythm to their chosen pieces. It was a proud moment of shared celebration, highlighting not just their new technical skills, but their bravery in taking center stage.
Reception- R.E- Stories from the Old Testament
In our recent R.E. lesson, the Reception children have been captivated by the powerful narratives of the Old Testament, exploring the themes of courage, faith, and protection. The classroom buzzed with excitement as the children listened to the stories of Noah’s Ark, Jonah and the Giant Fish, and Daniel in the Lions' Den. To bring these ancient tales to life, the children used sensory objects—such as soft animal figures and rough wooden blocks—to interact with the plotlines as they unfolded. Following our storytelling sessions, the children channeled their creativity into hands-on activities to reinforce their learning: Engineering for Noah: Using large blocks and scrap materials, the children worked together to build a sturdy boat capable of "weathering the storm." Artistic Expression: Small hands were busy cutting out blue whales and crafting majestic lions with manes made of bright orange paper. Narrative Retelling: These handmade props became the stars of the show as the children used them to retell the stories to their peers, confidently explaining why a particular moment was their favorite. Through these interactive sessions, the children didn't just hear the stories; they stepped inside them, developing both their fine motor skills and their understanding of different faith traditions.
Reception- Phonics- Building CVC words
Building on their foundational knowledge of CVC (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant) words, our Reception children have been diving into interactive phonics sessions designed to bridge the gap between sound and symbol. Using magnetic letters, the children took on the role of "word builders," carefully listening to hear the individual phonemes in words like cat, bin, and mop. With great focus, they successfully matched these sounds to the correct graphemes, physically sliding the letters together to form complete words on their boards. This tactile approach not only reinforced their segmenting and blending skills but also turned abstract sounds into something they could see, touch, and master.
Reception- Maths-Capacity
In Reception the children dove into the world of capacity by exploring how different volumes interact with various shapes and sizes. Through hands-on experimentation, they develop a concrete understanding of mathematical vocabulary such as full, empty, and half-full. By pouring water between tall, narrow cylinders and wide, shallow basins, the children are often surprised to see that the same amount of liquid looks different depending on the vessel, sparking "what would happen if..." inquiries that lead to early scientific testing. This process of filling and emptying containers allows them to make predictions and comparisons, building the foundational spatial awareness needed to understand that capacity refers to the amount a container can hold regardless of its height or width.
Reception- Physical Development- Gross Motor Painting
In our Reception classroom this week, the children refined their gross motor skills through the expressive act of painting tigers. Rather than being confined to small movements, the children use their entire arms and shoulders to sweep across large canvases, building the core strength and postural stability necessary for later physical development. When creating the tiger's face, they practice purposeful circular movements, rotating their arms from the shoulder and elbow to master the coordination required for fluid shapes. This physical effort is paired with cognitive milestones as they engage in color selection; reaching across the easel to choose fiery oranges and deep blacks encourages crossing the midline, a crucial neurological development. As they pivot their bodies and stretch to add stripes, these young artists are not just painting—they are strengthening the large muscle groups that provide the foundation for balance, coordination, and eventual fine motor control.
Reception- Music-Keep the beat
Our Reception children had a wonderful time exploring the world of rhythm and tempo during their music lesson this week. With bright eyes and listening ears, they practiced the fundamental skill of keeping a steady beat to a variety of catchy tunes and familiar nursery rhymes. Using a mix of clapping, marching, and simple percussion instruments, the children learned to feel the underlying pulse of the music. They experimented with changing their pace to different music. It was a joy to see their coordination and confidence grow as they successfully matched their movements to the rhythm, laying a fantastic foundation for their future musical journey.
Reception- Physical Development- Dance Unit
Our Reception class transformed the school hall into a bustling transport hub during this week’s energetic P.E. lesson! The children took the driver’s seat as they explored different ways of moving, cleverly linking their actions to various modes of transport. They zoomed across the floor like aeroplanes with outstretched wings, chugged along in lines like trains, and navigated the space as nimble cars. To develop their listening skills and coordination, we played a high-speed game of "Traffic Lights": Red: They practiced their balance with an immediate stop. Yellow: They found a steady rhythm with a gentle jog. Green: They shifted into top gear for a fast run! The hall was filled with giggles as the children navigated tricky "speed bumps" by jumping high and even mastered the art of reversing without any "crashes." It was a fantastic session that combined physical agility with imaginative play and following instructions.
Spring Clubs are back and they’re brilliant!
Our Spring 2026 after-school clubs are ready to go and they are packed with fun, creativity, and energy. This term children can get stuck into Kurling, Dodgeball, Lego Challenge, Art Club, Computing, Book Club, and our brand new Geography Explorers Club. Whether they love building, coding, creating, reading, discovering the world, or burning off energy, there’s something to get excited about. Clubs run from 3.20pm–4.00pm, with collection from the front entrance. Most clubs cost £4.00 for the full 10-week block, not per week, and some clubs are free. Spaces are limited, so don’t wait too long. Clubs start WC 12/1/26, with the final week WC 23/3/26. All bookings are through ParentPay. After-school fun starts here – let’s make it a great term!
Reception - Phonics - Tricky Words
This week, our Reception children have been diving into their "tricky words" using a multi-sensory Say It, Build It, Write It approach. This method helps children master words that don't follow standard phonetic rules by engaging different parts of their brain. First, the children Say It, looking closely at the word and identifying the "tricky" part that doesn't play fair. Next, they Build It using the magnetic letters, which helps them physically manipulate the sequence of sounds. Finally, they Write It using whiteboards to solidify their muscle memory. This hands-on sequence transforms abstract memorization into an interactive challenge, building both their reading confidence and their fine motor skills.
Reception- Expressive Arts and Design- My Gingerbread Man
This week, our Reception children have been fully immersed in a delightful sensory experience, using play dough to design and sculpt their very own gingerbread men. This hands-on activity encouraged the children to explore their creativity while strengthening their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Using gingerbread-shaped cutters, they carefully pressed out their figures before adding unique personality through various enhancements. They selected buttons to line up on the chest, small beads or "googly" eyes to bring the faces to life, and even used gingerbread cut-outs as templates to guide their designs. It was wonderful to see the children experimenting with different textures and shapes, turning a simple lump of dough into a colorful, imaginative character.
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