This week, the inquisitive explorers in Reception have been using their creativity and observational skills to delve into the fascinating world of weather. They began by reading The Little Raindrop, which sparked their imaginations and set the stage for an outdoor adventure. On their way to forest school, the children eagerly discussed the various weather patterns they observed. From the gentle rustling of leaves caused by the wind to the pitter-patter of raindrops, every moment was an opportunity to learn and connect with nature. Back in the classroom, the children used their target cards to write about the story in full sentences. Their enthusiasm was evident as they shared their thoughts and reflections, demonstrating their growing writing skills and understanding of the weather.

Rosie Snagge, Reception Class Teacher

Continuing their spring term theme looking at the important role bees play in helping safeguard the future of the planet, Year 1 took their studies into the art room. The children are currently looking at recycling and reusing, making bees from old coffee tins and plastic milk bottles. They have also been looking at collage as a way of creating artwork and ways of applying colour using their fingers rather than a paintbrush. As they, experimented with paper and card to create a colourful picture featuring flowers to accompany the tin bees, the children got the chance to be creative with their ideas and concepts.

Kim Martin, Year 1 Art Teacher

Year 2 this week took to the sports hall in PE with the aim of increasing their strength and improving their agility. The children made full use of the specialist teaching at their disposal to learn and hone their jumping techniques, especially on the springboard. The children loved using the gymnastics apparatus, and their obvious excitement and high energy levels allowed them to  express themselves freely.

Charlie Millsom, Head of Year 2

Year 3 explored relative calculations in maths this week, using their times tables knowledge and understanding of multiplying by ten to work out challenging questions such as 3×40 or 6×50. The children made full use of classroom resources and called upon prior learning to explain how we can use times tables facts to work out multiplication questions involving larger numbers. By the end of the lesson, Year 3 had practised and gained confidence using the mathematical vocabulary of multiplying, relating and grouping to explain their understanding.

Rosie Statham, Year 3 Class Teacher

Year 5’s lesson objective in Spanish was to learn a variety of adjectives to describe towns and cities while recognising how adjective endings have to agree with the noun. The young linguists listened intently and spoke effectively and with confidence throughout while pronouncing different Spanish words, skills which they used to good effect in a translation game before successfully translating each other’s sentences into English.

Annabel Keville, Year 5 Spanish Teacher

History was brought to life for Year 6 this week courtesy of a fascinating trip to Hampton Court Palace. As part of their curriculum work looking at prominent women in the time of the Tudors, the children got the chance to experience the life and times of the monarchy, particularly Henry VIII who famously had six wives. Year 6 learned about the history of the royal palace in the borough of Richmond upon Thames and showed their inquisitive nature by asking considered questions. The children gained a greater understanding of how the Tudors lived and the events that connected the lives of the characters they are studying in the classroom, and they hugely appreciated being able to walk in the footsteps of kings, queens and even Shakespeare.

Ed Elgood, Year 6 History Teacher

Year 7 have been working towards a secure understanding of how to calculate a percentage difference, linking it closely to real-life examples of profit or loss. The whole topic of percentages has been the focus in recent weeks, with a specific consideration for the value and benefit of showing methodical working out to help reach the correct solution. The children have recognised the increased likelihood of accuracy in their work when applying logical and methodical working out to solve percentage problems.

Ian Nicholas, Year 7 Maths Teacher

Year 8 have this week embarked upon their topic focus of safe and respectful relationships. This work gives them the chance to dive a bit deeper into pondering what makes a relationship healthy, as well as being considerate of differences within respectful relationships. During their first lesson, there was a real emphasis on tolerance and kindness as the children found appropriate and sensitive ways to discuss the work.

Zoe Thesiger-Pratt, Head of PSHE