Those elements that lead the children to say ‘I love going to school!’. These experiences are the beating heart of our planning and are carefully woven into our curriculum during the children’s five years at our school.

More than just a list to tick off, these activities layer up and build the confidence that enables our year four leavers to flourish as they set off into the wider world!

1. Ride in a wheelbarrow.
   Grab that spade and explore outside. Hold a worm. Know how to identify snowdrops, daffodils and narcissi. Have sunflower growing competitions. Plant cress and actually it. We have dedicated gardening areas on both school sites and expert parental support from an ex-Kew Gardener and a Willow Sculptor. We like mud!
2. Jump into a story.
   Drama and acting is just grown-ups ‘playing’. We allow children the time and space to re-tell and re-enact their favourite stories. Our recent training in ‘Helicopter Stories’ means even the Reception children are able to get their stories down on paper, scribed by the adults. We believe in using drama to build empathy for a character before we sit down and write. Story-telling is embraced across the school with lots of opportunities for creative writing and spoken word performance.
3. Climb things.
   Children start with five bar gates on our welly walks at Norton st. Philip, progressing to trees, climbing walls and the ‘Tower Jump’ at Mill on the Brue. We’re lucky with our idyllic countryside locations and are in the process of purchasing a climbing wall to add to our playground resources. Our P.E Specialist provides exciting activities such as archery, Tag rugby, cricket and dance. Classes take part in the ‘Daily Mile’ to build their fitness.
4. Build a den.
   During our Forest School experiences we begin by building dens for fluffy bears and then work up to building strong and stable structures for a group of children. We learn how to tie knots and cook over the fire pit. Some of our staff are Level 3 Forest School leaders and we have beautiful grounds as well as exciting explorer walks in the local area.
5. Dance like everyone’s watching.
   Being able to dance is a great skill for life, not least to save any embarrassment at weddings! Dance is a core part of our P.E and Performing Arts curriculum. During their time at school children will have numerous opportunities to dance on a theatre stage with their class and to join our dance club.
6. Use real tools.
   Build a go-kart. Cook a three course meal. Maria Montessorri believed that when given sharp knives and scissors (that will actually cut things) children will respect the tools and use them with purpose. Children from three years old can be introduced to woodwork using child-sized hammers, saws and drills. We have two sewing machines for older children to use. Wood work, cooking and Forest School tools are an important part of our curriculum, particularly with the younger children.
7. Star in a show.
   It is amazing to watch even our youngest children standing up in front of a crowd of parents and singing their line with confidence. Not a dry eye in the house. Our specialist Music and Performing Arts teachers build confidence by giving children opportunities to perform in a real theatre show, whatever their vocal and musical talents. We regularly write and perform our own musicals learning to work as a team and to be brave as an individual, stepping out of our comfort zone.
8. Learn a language.
   We have a number of bi-lingual children and staff in our schools which are a rich resource. Our federation likes to embrace diversity and see what can be learned from other cultures. Our resident French teacher uses French throughout the day for basic instructions alongside teaching specific vocabulary and songs as the children move through the school. In recent years we have been lucky enough to include and learn from French, Dutch, Swedish, Argentinian, Spanish, Japanese and Portuguese families.
9. Be a secret coder.
   Imagine a classroom where you don’t just learn about the world – you get to build it!  Program a robot, make it turn and speak, program a friend to get through a maze.  We use Scratch to write algorithms and create our very own video games, all while learning.
   Skills that open doors to endless possibilities.  With coding, you are not just consumers of technology; you’re the inventors of the future, using creativity to shape tomorrow’s digital landscape.  It’s like learning a superpower that can turn ideas into reality!
10. Learn to play an instrument.
    Luckily, things have come a long way since the recorder lessons of the 1970’s. Children now have numerous opportunities in our schools to learn the ocarina, guitar, piano, drums, even the trombone. Don’t underestimate the wonderful sound that can be created by a class of 8-year-olds on the ukulele.
11. Blow things up!
    Creativity runs deeply throughout all areas of our curriculum and underpins our STEAM activities.  We want to grow the scientists and engineers of the future to solve problems that we can’t even imagine yet.  We want our children to think like scientists.  Asking ‘Why?’ and ‘What if?’  So, we build-in exciting opportunities for the children to mix potions, erupt volcanoes and blow things up!
12. Make your own Podcast.
    Our older children are using technology to turn their literacy into engaging podcasts!  From persuasive speeches to informative reports on topics like endangered animals, students bring their writing to life through audio.  With tablets, voice recording apps, and simple editing tolls, they add voices, and sounds effects, building digital and communication skills.  These podcasts are shared with classmates, families and the school communities, spreading awareness and inspiring action.
13. Animate and Create!
    We like to embrace ICT and use the powers of technology for good! From Reception the children have access to our Apple Macs, I-pads, Bee-Bots and microscopes. Apps such as iMovie help to make even our youngest children into Steven Spielberg. Our ICT experts teach children how to add music and create sound effects. Older children learn how to use a green screen. We get the playdough out and make our own Aardman-style animations. Our Year 4 children leave us with high level creative computing skills.
14. Become a journalist
    Having a real purpose and audience to write for is important. Our older children learn to take photographs, add illustrations and create their own comic strip.  They write fake letters for the problem page and answer them, create recipes and crosswords and talk about their own experiences. Their writing features in school newsletters and local magazines.  We bring in real writers to teach them the tricks of the trade and to show that writing well is important in lots of jobs.
15. Go away without your parents.
    An absolute highlight of your child’s time with us will be the week-long residential trip to ‘Mill on The Brue Activity Centre’ which will include some amazing outdoor pursuits activities, eating food grown on their organic farm and braving one of the longest zip wires in England. Nothing beats the excitement of sharing a room with eleven slightly smelly nine-year-olds.