In our academy, we feel it is important that our children have access to wider opportunities and experiences to help build their confidence, communication and problem-solving skills to set them up to be successful citizens in society. Throughout their time in the academy, the children have access to Forest School sessions for a half term each year, which is led by an external Forest School teacher, who runs the sessions in our outdoor Forest School area. This year, we have also developed an indoor Forest School classroom, where children can access aspects of the Forest School sessions.

Forest School is a long-term outdoor education process that is holistic and learner-led. It allows children to develop themselves through healthy engagement with risk, problem-solving and self-discovery, all within a natural environment in a hands-on and thoughtful manner. The academy also runs after school Forest School Club for children to access throughout the year if they so wish.

Y5 had the opportunity to learn how to play mathematically puzzling games! They went to the Education Exchange, where they worked alongside Y5 pupils from across the Trust. On the day they learned how to solve puzzles, reason and problem solve and work together, all in the context of games! This definitely helped with their maths in school as they learned lots of ways to solve a problem, and become more resilient!

Our academy choir visited our local care home at Christmas. We sang songs and hymns with the residents and then spent some time with them chatting, enjoying juice and biscuits. It was a wonderful morning and so special to see the residents and pupils joining in, singing together.

Each year, we celebrate World Book Day by coming dressed as a character from a book. We bring the book into school too! Across the day, pupils take it in turns to read to each other, to present their book to the class, and to talk about the character they’ve dressed up as. It’s a fabulous celebration of our love of reading!

A group of Y5s and Y6s visited the local care home to tell the story of Easter to the residents. Eight pupils took it in turns to read part of the story. Afterwards they had buns and juice and a lovely chat with the residents!

A group of Y5s are taking part in a project that spans the whole year. Ambition Unlimited is a project which aims to provide pupils with a range of experiences to widen horizons and show them what a wonderful world is out there, and there are no barriers to success! There are six days in total, with a range of activities and experiences which inspire and motivate pupils to reach for the stars!

Day 1 – Programme launch – My Future Self

Day 2 – Science and Space Day

Day 3 – Visit to Wentworth Woodhouse Stately home

Day 4 – Meet the Employer Day

Day 5 – Construction and Sustainability Day

Day 6 – Graduation

In our REC topic we focused on politics and democracy. As part of our learning, we invited Yvette Cooper MP to our academy to help us develop our knowledge of democracy in Britain in both the past and modern-day Britain. Yvette was extremely knowledgeable about democracy, the Feudal system and was very passionate about her beliefs and British values. 

The children had lots of questions about democracy and Yvette was inspirational in her answers and discussions.

Yvette planned for the children to take part in an imitation of a parliamentary debate and vote that would take place in the House of Commons. The children stood up when they wanted to speak but then sat down when others were speaking. They also walked through corridors to vote, that were counted by whips.

It was a brilliant experience and the children’s knowledge shone through in their discussions, questions and debates. What an amazing afternoon we had!