Year 4 - Using causal conjunctions
As part of our English lessons we have continued to build on our for and against points. Today we looked at the main argument followed by how to develop the argument and then its effect - what the effect of deforestation has on the subject. The children tried really hard to use a range of causal conjunctions and extend their arguments further.
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Year 4 - Smart School Council
We were practising using our talk tokens in our Smart School Council session this week. The debate was about our favourite way to spend February half term. After a great discussion with some compelling arguments, the second most popular vote was for spending time with family, but the overall winner was having fun with friends.
Year 1 English: Writing an innovated story
Year 1 have been working extremely hard in English this week writing their innovated versions of ‘We’re Going On A Bear Hunt’. They are writing three innovated settings and they changed the character too. It has been tricky to remember all of their exclamation marks and full stops, but they have shown resilience and are almost finished with their stories. Well done Year 1!
Author Visit: Sean Perkins
Today we continued to celebrate our national year of reading initiative. We were delighted to welcome local author Sean Perkins to our school. Sean shared his stories about characters Oscar and Ben, and the children thoroughly enjoyed listening to a reading of "Oscar and Ben: The Sleepover," which featured engaging sound effects and pictures. The children also learned a song about the characters and had the opportunity to ask Sean questions at the end of the session. All three of Sean’s books are currently available to purchase via ParentPay. Sean has kindly offered to sign any copies purchased. Thank you Sean for visiting our school.
Reception: English
Reception class revisited the story of "The Snail and the Whale" today, with a particular focus on the setting. The children practiced describing the sea and learned a new vocabulary word: "shimmering." They also drew the setting, labelled their work, and explained how the sun makes the water shimmer.
Reception: Snail and the Whale Book Launch
This morning, Reception class read 'The Snail and the Whale'. We listened carefully to the story. The children focussed on two words 'slimy' and 'ginormous'. We discussed the characters in the story and described how they moved and their size. We then drew the characters and had a special key to make them move. Our keys varied from tricky words to different sounds that we have learnt. What a super start to the week!
Year 3 Poetry Reading: An Incentive for Excellence
As a reward for their hard work, several Year 3 pupils were selected to visit Year 2 to perform their Arctic bear shape poems. This opportunity served as a fantastic incentive for the children to refine their work, encouraging them to focus on high-quality editing and presentation. The Year 3 students spoke with confidence, and the session was made even more valuable by the constructive feedback provided by Mrs Hegarty and Mr Carter.
Year 6 - Presentation of Learning
Today, Year 6 presented their English learning to Year 5, all centred around Mary Poppins. The children confidently shared a range of work, including detailed character descriptions, thoughtful book reviews and vivid setting descriptions that brought the story to life. The children also performed imaginative kenning poems inspired by Mary Poppins, using expressive language and performance skills. This presentation celebrated the children’s creativity, reading comprehension and writing skills, while also giving them the opportunity to speak clearly and confidently in front of an audience. Year 5 were a fantastic audience and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the high-quality work produced by Year 6.
Year 1 English: Innovating Settings
Year 1 started to innovate settings based on We’re Going On A Bear Hunt. We changed the original settings to either a candy land, rainforest, hill, volcano, beach or swamp. They then had to think of adjectives to describe their setting for their own story. Next, we will need to think of sounds each setting would make, for example “sticky crunch” for the candy land. It was lovely to hear Year 1’s imaginative ideas and seeing them so excited about creating their settings.
Year 3- English-Arctic Bear Shape Poetry
Year 3 have finished writing their shape poems based on the Arctic bear. To make their writing creative and imaginative, the children applied their knowledge of word families, similes, and metaphors alongside descriptive language and expanded noun phrases. After completing their poems, the children used their "purple pens" to edit and improve their work. These final pieces demonstrate a combination of creative design and technical writing skills.
Go All In: 2026 National Year of Reading
Dear Parents and Carers, As we move into 2026, we are excited to share that this has been designated the National Year of Reading. This year-long celebration, spearheaded by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, isn't about schoolwork or exams—it’s about helping our children rediscover the sheer joy of a great story. The theme for the year is "Go All In." The goal is to show children that reading isn't just something they do in a classroom; it is a way to dive deeper into the things they already love. Whether your child is a fan of gaming, sports, music, or space, there is a book, graphic novel, or audiobook out there that speaks to their interests. The campaign reminds us that "if they’re into it, they can read into it," and that every form of reading—from a football programme to a digital comic—is a step toward success. We know how busy family life can be, but research shows that sharing a story for just 10 minutes a day can dramatically boost a child’s wellbeing and their confidence at school. You don’t need to be an expert storyteller to make a difference; simply sitting together and exploring a book, or letting your child see you reading your own book or magazine, sets a fantastic example. Throughout the year, there will be exciting events to look forward to, including a record-breaking World Book Day on March 5th and a music-themed Summer Reading Challenge titled "Read to the Beat!" Our local libraries will also be hosting free activities, from author workshops to interactive storytelling sessions. We invite you to join us in making 2026 a year of discovery for our children. Let’s help them find the stories that make them want to "go all in." For more resources and book recommendations tailored to your child’s hobbies, you can visit the official campaign website at goallin.org.uk. For our first challenge, I would love the children to send me some photographs of them reading their favourite story in their favourite place. Happy reading! Mrs Wilkinson
Reception: Helicopter Stories
Reception class have really been exploring pre writing skills. They have been learning to orally tell a story using adjectives and sentences. The children told a story about a dolphin called Charlie who was looking for a home. Luckily Bob the whale helped him to find somewhere to live in the ocean. The children acted the story out and did a wonderful job. Well done!