Year 1: Fire Lighting
The children also took part in a bushcraft activity where they learnt how to make sparks for lighting fires safely. They explored how friction is created by rubbing things together and noticed that when they rub their hands together, they become warm. The children were shown how to safely use the fire striker by holding the metal pieces correctly and scraping them together to create sparks. They learnt that fires need oxygen, heat and sticks to burn. The children carefully pulled the cotton wool apart to make it look like a cloud before placing it onto the block and using the sparks to light it. They were fascinated by the process and learnt how to safely put the fire out using the special fire glove.
Year 1: Den Building
To finish the day, the children worked together to take part in a den building activity. They used natural materials from the woodland to help create shelters and learnt the importance of teamwork and problem solving. The children were taught how to safely carry and position sticks by holding them in pairs when putting them up. They showed great cooperation, creativity and resilience whilst building their dens and enjoyed working together outdoors.
Year 2 - Brockholes Trip - Firelighting
Year 2 learned how to make fire in a safe and controlled environment.
Year 2 - Brockholes Trip - Den Building
We made dens using some huge sticks. We learned how to carry them safely and how to make a roof structure. What great teamwork!
Year 2 - Brockholes Trip - Habitats and Minibeast Hunt
We learned about some of the habitats at Brockholes and then went on a minibeast hunt.
Reception: Visit to Imagine That
Our Reception class had an incredible day at Imagine That! in Liverpool, diving into hands-on science with dry ice experiments, magical snow, and slime-making. From painting a car and crafting magnets to exploring the roleplay and creative zones, the children’s imaginations were in full swing. We are so proud of their exemplary behaviour, as they represented our school beautifully throughout this fantastic adventure!
Year 4 Tennis Winners
🏆 SMALL BUT MIGHTY! 🏆 Huge congratulations to our Year 4 Tennis Team for winning the BWD competition at Blackburn Northern Tennis Club! 🎾🥇 Mrs. Ham is incredibly proud of the team's determination and fantastic sportsmanship. You played with heart and represented us brilliantly! 🌟👏 We certainly are small but mighty! 💪 #TennisChampions #BWDCompetition #Year4 #ProudSchool #TeamWork
Year 5 PGL
🧗♂️ What an Unforgettable Adventure! 🏹 Our Year 5 students have just returned from an incredible three-day residential at PGL (and yes, for those wondering, that stands for Parents Get Lost! 😉). From the moment they arrived, the energy was electric. Over the last three days, our young adventurers threw themselves into every challenge, including: • Raft Building: Testing their teamwork (and their buoyancy!) 🌊 • Archery: Finding their inner Robin Hood 🎯 • Problem Solving: Using those brilliant brains to crack tough codes 🧩 • Survival Skills: Learning how to thrive in the great outdoors 🌲 • Climbing & The Giant Swing: Reaching new heights and facing their fears head-on! 🎢 🌟 Heart, Courage, and Community Beyond the activities, what truly blew us away was their courage and determination. Whether they were dangling from the giant swing or navigating the woods, the way they shouted words of encouragement to one another was heart-warming. They behaved brilliantly throughout the trip and were a true credit to our school. We couldn't be prouder of the resilience they showed! 🙌 A Huge Thank You This trip wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing staff. A massive thank you to Mr Mealor, Miss Lyons, and Mrs Faux for giving up their time and working around the clock to ensure the children had a safe and life-changing experience. Welcome home, Year 5! Rest up—you’ve certainly earned it. 💤✨ #Year5 #PGL #SchoolTrip #AdventureAwaits #ProudSchool #Teamwork #MakingMemories All of the photos can be found here: https://stbarnabasdarwen.co.uk/photo-galleries/year-5-pgl-may-2026
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Reception: All About Minibeasts
The Reception class had a truly unforgettable afternoon thanks to Fiia and her dad, Adam from the Animal Garden who introduced the children to an incredible array of minibeasts. The session was packed with tactile learning, starting with the massive Giant African Land Snails and the fascinating life cycle of Pachnoda bugs, which the children learned eventually transform into vibrant fruit beetles. The class also got a glimpse into the animal food chain by meeting Mario worms, cockroaches, and locusts—the "snack pack" typically used to feed pet lizards. The highlight for many was the tarantula gallery, featuring the Red Rump tarantula (appropriately named for its red "bum") and a South American Curly Haired tarantula affectionately known as "Chewy." The children learned about their unique defense mechanism: the ability to flick itchy hairs at predators to stay safe. By examining a discarded tarantula skin, the students were able to get an up-close look at the spider's teeth and red mouth without any risk. The excitement continued with the arrival of the sleek Asian Forest Scorpions, adding an extra layer of mystery to the day. The afternoon concluded with a wonderful takeaway about how spiders do not have a brain! They simply know how to live. Thank you so much to Adam and Fiia, we learnt so much!
Year 3: Adventure, Teamwork, and Fantastic Spirit
What a spectacular day for Year 3! Whether they were soaring on the zip line, scaling the climbing towers, or finding their balance on the low ropes, every child showed immense bravery. The river was a major highlight, with everyone splashing into canoeing and paddleboarding, while the airbag jump provided the ultimate test of nerves. Beyond the adrenaline, the children were fantastic ambassadors for the school. They showed great manners throughout the day and took real pride in tidying up after lunch, leaving the site exactly as they found it. Throughout every challenge, the children never stopped encouraging one another and cheering for their peers. It was a day filled with respect and brilliant teamwork. A huge thank you to Mrs Singleton and Miss Gregson for supporting the children every step of the way. Well done, Year 3!
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Ocean Awareness with the Marine Conservation Society
Today, we were joined by Lorna from the Marine Conservation Society for a brilliant session. The children explored the wonders of our Ocean while learning about serious challenges such as climate change, overfishing, and ocean pollution. A particularly memorable moment was learning that sea turtles often mistake floating plastic bags for jellyfish, their favourite food, highlighting the dangers of litter. Lorna inspired the children to think creatively about waste, showing them how to repurpose plastic items, such as turning old milk gallons into birds or bird feeders. The children loved sharing their favourite things about the sea, and to help us keep learning, Lorna mentioned that there are plenty of fantastic free resources available on their website to explore at home or in class.
Mad Science Club- The Light Fantastic
Today in the Mad Science after-school club, our junior scientists stepped into the brilliant world of physics for a "Light Fantastic" session! They became masters of the electromagnetic spectrum, starting with the discovery that LASER is actually an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The children explored the concept of refraction by bending light beams through different materials and went on a hunt for "invisible" energy using UV light to make hidden colors fluoresce.