Learning in VW

Last week VW had a busy week! They were preparing for their production, writing diary entries from the perspectives of either Beowulf or Grendel, and making origami lotus flowers to recognise how they symbolise enlightenment for Buddhists.

As part of Eco Science Week, they also took part in a very smelly science investigation using natural dyes — including turmeric, red cabbage, blueberries, tea and more — to dye natural materials such as wool. The results were mixed, but turmeric was the clear winner for releasing the most pigment. We explored how anthocyanins and tannins affect colour, and we experimented by adding bicarbonate of soda and apple cider vinegar to the red cabbage dye to observe the colour changes and learn about pH scales.

The class also enjoyed two workshops delivered by CAP (Christians Against Poverty), focusing on money management, budgeting for the future, and prioritising expenditure — all incredibly valuable life skills. Thank you to them for delivering such informative sessions. 

Waste Watchers

On Thursday, Big Bubble Theatre transformed our KS1 children into 'Waste Watchers'. To support the introduction of our new text 'Stella and the Seagull', we were taught about plastic pollution and taking care of the Earth. Remember to REDUCE, RECYCLE and REUSE!

Friday was World Environment Day, this year the focus was on lowering the impact on our environment, so KS1 children took to the playground to limbo, encouraging them to think about how they can reduce their environmental impact. 

Year 5 and 6 STEM Workshops

Today, Year 5 and 6 were fortunate to take part in a STEM workshop led by STEMPOINT ambassadors. They learned about the role of offshore wind energy, including the East Coast Wind Farm, discovering that a single wind farm can power an impressive 700,000 homes.

The ambassadors also shared information about the wind farm in Great Yarmouth, which has been in operation for many years. Pupils were fascinated to learn that one of the older turbines is approximately the size of the London Eye, while more modern turbines can reach heights of around 280 metres—similar to the height of The Shard. The children also learned that the Crown Estate owns the seabed and that developing offshore wind farms involves many different people and areas of expertise.

We explored a range of renewable energy sources, including solar, hydro, biomass and geothermal energy, before reflecting on non-renewable sources and the impact they have on our planet. The children also learned how electricity generated offshore reaches homes and schools. One ambassador explained how large underground cables are laid at a depth that allows farmers to continue using the land effectively, without affecting the landscape.

Towards the end of the workshop, we discussed the advantages of using three blades on a wind turbine rather than four. We learned that each blade weighs around 30–35 tonnes, meaning that adding extra blades would significantly increase both the weight and cost, making it unviable. The ambassadors also spoke about STEM careers, including engineering, civil construction, communications, archaeology and environmental roles.

To conclude the workshop, the children worked in small groups to design and create their own prototype wind turbines, demonstrating excellent teamwork and creativity.

Thank you to STEMPOINT for providing such a fantastic and engaging learning experience.

Young Engineers at Work: Building Wind Turbines

This morning, our Year 5 engineers had a fantastic experience in the school hall by attending a STEM workshop with STEMPOINT and Will Sealey from Scottish Power Renewables.  We learned all about renewable energy sources. The children then constructed their own mini wind turbines. The children worked like real engineers, designing, testing, and then thinking about how they could make their turbines even better next time. What a brilliant morning learning about renewable energy!

             

Heart Stop Motion

Whilst some were placing their hands on a heart, the remaining pupils in Year 5 and 6 put their photography and scientific skills to the test to create some stop motion videos showing the component parts of the heart as well as the crucial role it plays in our bodies.

The group were the first, with many more to come, to benefit from the use of our new school iPads purchased to help enhance our learning. 

After taking countless photographs of their heart facts, Mr Snowden then compiled them into videos sped up to create the stop motion effect. Here are some of the finished videos. 

Heart Dissection

Today, Year 5 and Year 6 pupils took part in a lamb’s heart dissection as part of their science learning. This provided the children with a valuable hands-on opportunity to explore the structure and function of the heart. Before beginning, we discussed ethical considerations, emphasising respect for the animal and the importance of learning from real biological specimens.

The pupils identified key anatomical features and reviewed how the heart functions to pump blood around the body. During the dissection, appropriate PPE was worn at all times. The children carefully examined the internal structures, focusing on identifying the left and right sides of the heart by comparing the relative thickness of the ventricular walls. They successfully located the septum and were able to observe visceral fat on the surface of the heart, as well as identifying external features such as the aorta and the apex.

Overall, it was a fantastic and engaging learning experience that deepened our UKS2 pupils’ understanding of the circulatory system through practical, respectful, and scientifically meaningful investigation.

Chicks at SRH

What a busy few days we've had. SRH have welcomed nine beautiful chicks. The children across the school have been fortunate enough to watch the chicks hatch and observe them as they have dried out and fluffed up. They have been mesmerised ever since. As scientists, it has been the perfect opportunity to discuss life cycles, understand how to take care of animals and what they need to thrive.

How EGG-citing!

To celebrate our upcoming book 'The Odd Egg', Key Stage 1 have welcomed some egg-cellent visitors. Watch this space for some egg-ceptionally cute updates. Thank you to The Friends for providing us with this egg-citing opportunity. 😀🥚🐣🐤

Electricity

Over this half term, Year 6 have been learning about electricity. As part of this, we explored voltage, which is the force that pushes electricity through a circuit and can affect how components, such as bulbs, work.

The children carried out an investigation to find out whether increasing the voltage increases the brightness of a single bulb. This involved identifying the independent, dependent and controlled variables, creating a hypothesis, constructing a conclusion after the results had been recorded and then carefully evaluating the effectiveness of the experiment.

Year 5 Science: Sparking Ideas with Switch Making.

This week in Year 5 Science, we continued exploring electricity by building circuits and making our own switches. Using card, split pins, bulldog clips and paper clips, the children created push, toggle, slide and selector switches, showing great creativity and problem solving throughout.   

Refraction in Action

Today in Year 6, we explored the science of refraction and how white light can be separated into its different colours. Using prisms, pupils directed beams of white light and produced small rainbows—this showed us how light bends and splits as it passes through a new medium. We learned how this process, called refraction, happens because light changes speed when it moves from one material to another. We discussed how light bends towards the normal when it slows down, just like the way a straw looks bent or distorted in a glass of water.

To build on this, we recreated Newton’s colour wheels and tested whether spinning a coloured disc fast enough would make the colours blend back into white light. The class loved seeing science in action and discovering that white light really is a mixture of all the colours of the spectrum.

A brilliant afternoon! 

KS1 Seasonal Activities

 

KS1 have been keen scientists learning about the seasons and displaying their knowledge through art. As artists, they have used printing, painting, drawing and collage skills to create images to depict spring, summer, autumn and winter. Some of the Year 2 children used seasonal vegetables to make pumpkin soup which all of the children enjoyed tasting.

DR - Worm Experiment

This week, Class DR transformed into brilliant scientists. We gathered the materials to create 6 different habitats. Then we searched long and hard to find 30 wiggly worms. We put the worms into the middle of the tray and made predictions about which habitat the worms would prefer. We left the worms over night. The next morning we discovered the worms had all chosen their favourite habitat. Ask your child about what we discovered...

Wings of Wonder: A Year 5 Butterfly Adventure! 🦋

 We had a truly special event today that tied in perfectly with our science study on Living Things and Their Habitats! One thoughtful classmate showed great responsibility by caring for three beautiful Painted Lady caterpillars until they completed their entire life cycle and turned into adult butterflies. 

The whole of Year 5 gathered to witness the final, exciting stage: the release! We watched in silent awe as the three butterflies were gently freed and took their first soaring flights into the wild. This amazing moment allowed us to connect with nature and appreciate the incredible journey of metamorphosis first hand. We are thrilled to know our butterflies are now part of the local ecosystem as we continue to explore the world of living things!