Key Stage 2

Unveiling the Past: Year 3’s Immersive Journey Through the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age

Two weeks ago, our Year 3 pupils stepped back in time with a memorable visit to the Kent Life Centre, diving headfirst into their history topic on the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. This hands-on adventure offered a unique opportunity to explore the lives of our ancestors and connect with the past in a truly engaging way.

Learning Through Lived Experiences
The day was expertly guided by a team of enthusiastic History Explorers and a knowledgeable Historian, who brought these ancient eras to life. Through a mix of activities, discussions, and demonstrations, the students gained a deeper understanding of how people lived thousands of years ago.

One of the most engaging moments was a spirited debate about Hunter Gatherers vs Early Farmers. The children delved into the pros and cons of these lifestyles, weighing the ingenuity of survival against the challenges of innovation. Another highlight was grinding grain, an activity that connected them to the daily life of early communities and even provided a tangible souvenir to take back to school!

The pupils also had the chance to explore ancient weapon-making techniques, sparking curiosity about the ingenuity of past civilisations. It wasn’t just about what they learnt but also how they learnt—through doing, asking, and experiencing.

Exploring Religion, Travel, and Trade
As part of the day, the children uncovered the fascinating evolution of religion, tracing its journey from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. This discussion not only highlighted the changing beliefs of early societies but also shed light on how travel and trade played a role in spreading ideas and forging connections across communities.

A Heartfelt Thank You
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Kent Life Centre team for curating such a rich and educational experience. The activities, discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities have left a lasting impression on our pupils.

As they bring their newfound knowledge back into the classroom, we look forward to seeing how this unforgettable journey inspires their understanding and enthusiasm for history.

Here’s to many more adventures that make learning come alive! 🌟

Last month, our school celebrated Humanities Week from Monday, 21st October, to Friday, 25th October. Centered on the theme, "Our Local Area: Exploring the Wonders of Merton," the week offered children an exciting opportunity to delve into the history, geography, and culture of our community. With a strong focus on oracy, the week was designed to help children develop speaking and debating skills through engaging activities and hands-on learning.

Highlights of Humanities Week

The week began with a lively assembly on Monday morning, featuring a debate, modelled by staff, on “Is Merton a great place to grow up in?” This stimulating session set the tone for the following days, encouraging children to think critically and express their ideas with confidence.

In Geography, children explored the concept of "wonder," learning about the location and key features of the Seven Wonders of the World and comparing them to the Seven Wonders of Merton. This exercise helped them appreciate the unique geographical characteristics of our local area.

In RE & Worldviews, discussions focused on what makes something wonderful. Children reflected on the wonders in their own lives, exploring their significance and creating presentations and posters to showcase their ideas.

In History, children learned about the historical significance of Merton’s wonders. Younger pupils (EYFS and KS1) created timelines to understand chronology, while older pupils (KS2) took part in debates to determine which of Merton’s Seven Wonders is most important.

The week concluded on Friday afternoon with a spirited class debate, where children passionately defended their chosen “best” Wonder of Merton.

Developing Oracy Skills

Oracy was a core focus throughout the week. Through debates, discussions, and presentations, children refined their ability to communicate clearly and confidently. These activities not only strengthened their communication skills but also boosted their critical thinking and understanding across subjects.

Humanities Week was a tremendous success, and it was wonderful to see the children so engaged and enthusiastic about exploring the wonders of Merton. Thank you to Miss Barnes, Mrs Roach and Mrs Murphy who contributed to making this deep dive into our local area a memorable experience for our school community!

Year 5 had the exciting opportunity to be visited by a teacher from The Past Presents and participate in an immersive Saxon and Viking workshop! This hands-on experience brought history to life, allowing the children to explore aspects of ancient cultures in a memorable way.

The day began with a re-enactment of a fierce battle, where children played the roles of Romans, Celts, Anglo-Saxons, and Vikings. Through this lively activity, they gained insight into the strategies and tactics that warriors from each group might have used in historical conflicts. Following the battle, they learned about warrior burials, discovering the fascinating items that would accompany a warrior to the afterlife.

Next, the children had the chance to wear traditional Anglo-Saxon clothing, which helped them envision what life might have been like in that era. They also took part in a simulated raid on a monastery, where they “seized” valuable items as Viking raiders might have done, gaining a deeper understanding of the Viking lifestyle and its impact on history.

The workshop continued with activities that revealed aspects of daily Anglo-Saxon life. The children practised writing with a quill and ink, a skill valued in ancient times, and explored the role of herbs, weapons, and various artefacts in Anglo-Saxon culture. These activities highlighted how people of that era met everyday needs and prepared for battle.

To finish, the children prepared a model Viking longship for a voyage, learning about the skills and planning that went into setting sail across the sea. This hands-on project capped off a day full of exploration and learning, giving Year 5 a remarkable insight into the world of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings.

Some of our Year 4 students traveled to the New Wimbledon Theatre to attend Wimbledon BookFest! They were lucky enough to meet the children's author, Pamela Butchart, who captivated them with her fun and interactive talk.

Pamela Butchart, known for her brilliant children's books, got all the students involved and even had them performing a little drama! The children were absolutely buzzing with excitement, and to top it all off, they each received a copy of her books The Great Crisp Robbery and The Baby Brother from Outer Space to take home!

We’re thrilled to offer our students such fantastic opportunities to meet inspiring authors and foster a love of reading! ️

A huge thank you to Wimbledon BookFest for this incredible experience.

This week, our Year 5 children have shown incredible determination as they completed the Bikeability Level 2 course—despite some very rainy weather! ️

The objective of the course is to teach our young cyclists how to handle traffic safely on short journeys, preparing them to navigate real-world situations with confidence. Training took place on local residential roads, giving the children hands-on experience in dealing with junctions, parked cars, and other common road scenarios.

The weather may have been challenging, but the children powered through, showing great resilience and enthusiasm! They’ve learned essential skills, such as signaling, road positioning, and awareness of other road users

A big well done to all our Year 5s for their hard work—and to our instructors for keeping the sessions engaging, even in the rain! We're so proud of their achievements and can’t wait to see them put these skills to use.

Stay safe and keep pedaling, Year 5!