Author: Calder Lodge School

The children visited the Harris Museum in Preston to explore the exciting Wallace and Gromit exhibition. Before the visit, they completed a worksheet to help them think about the significant people they have been learning about in class. This prepared them to make links with the creator of Wallace and Gromit, Nick Park, who is a significant figure from Preston, the same city in which the Harris Museum is based. During the exhibition, the children learned about Nick Park’s life, achievements and his influence on entertainment and television. They discovered how his imaginative characters and stop-motion animation have inspired audiences around the world. While exploring the displays, the children observed original models, storyboards and behind-the-scenes materials.

They were encouraged to write about what they saw, heard and felt, helping them reflect deeply on their experience. Many children commented on the creativity, humour and detail in the models and sets, and how inspiring it was to learn that such a famous animator comes from their own local area. The visit not only strengthened their understanding of significant individuals in history and culture but also sparked excitement and curiosity about animation, creativity, and storytelling.

The children enjoyed an exciting and immersive Greek Day where they deepened their understanding of life in ancient Greece. They learned about the role of hoplites and explored the weaponry, armour, and battle formations used in Greek warfare, helping to bring their history topic to life. The children then designed unique shields, which they will construct in the next lesson.

Next, through a tasting session, the children sampled traditional Greek foods such as olives, flatbread, Greek cheese, and a selection of Greek dips, giving them a sensory insight into daily life in the ancient world. They also discovered the significance of chitons and laurel wreaths, learning what these garments and symbols represented in Greek society.

To round off the day, the children created their own laurel wreath headbands, this enriching experience supported the children to deepen their knowledge of History by securing their understanding of an ancient civilisation and its lasting influence on the world. It encouraged them to use historical vocabulary, make connections between cultural practices, and understand how evidence helps us learn about the past. The practical and creative activities are also linked to the Art and Design curriculum, allowing children to experiment with design ideas and use craft techniques to create historical-inspired artefacts. Overall, the day provided a meaningful, cross-curricular learning opportunity that strengthened both knowledge and skills.

We had a brilliant day out at Beacon Fell, even though the weather was definitely on the colder side! The children didn’t let that stop them—they wrapped up warm and enjoyed exploring the outdoors from the moment we arrived.

We spent lots of time walking across different terrains, including muddy paths, rocky tracks, and soft forest ground. The children were great at noticing how each surface felt and how they needed to move their bodies differently to stay balanced whilst they used different vocabulary to discuss what things felt or looked like. They were completely absorbed in the natural environment, spotting interesting plants, fallen branches and looking for any animal trails on the ground. One of the highlights of the day was when we were lucky enough to spot a deer standing quietly between the trees. The children were fascinated and spent a lot of the day talking about what the deer looked like. This led to a lovely discussion about why it’s important to look after wildlife and protect their habitats, especially in places like Beacon Fell where so many animals rely on the landscape to survive.After our walk, the children enjoyed some time on the wooden play equipment. This was a great chance for them to work together, communicate, and support each other as they climbed, balanced, and navigated the different obstacles. It really encouraged the use of their gross motor skills, and it was lovely to see them playing positively together and spending time helping each other. 

Before we left, we made a fun link to our Drawing Club book ‘Room on the Broom’ by Julia Donaldson. The children explored the area to find natural items—sticks, leaves, pinecones, stones—and we talked about what magical potions we might create if we popped them into a cauldron just like in the story. They tried really hard to discuss their ideas and use their imaginations meaning we ended up with some brilliant (and slightly muddy!) potion ideas.

Overall, it was a wonderfully engaging day full of fresh air, teamwork, imagination, and hands-on learning.

Bleasdale has been busy exploring exciting activities in both Science and Design & Technology, all inspired by the topic “Invasion from the Vikings” and cultural-based designs. The pupils have been developing their creative skills whilst learning about Viking culture and science concepts related to the water cycle.

In Design & Technology, students created a variety of Viking-inspired items. We made beautiful brooches from felt, designed bracelets using safety pins, coloured beads, and clear beads, and added intricate details with thread. We also got creative with paper, rolling coloured paper to make beads and fashioning them into stylish bracelets. These hands-on activities not only allowed the pupils to learn about Viking artefacts but also honed their fine motor skills and artistic expression.

In Science, the class wrapped up their study of the water cycle by diving into the concepts of evaporation and condensation. Pupils learned key vocabulary and were able to confidently recite terms such as “evaporation,” “condensation,” and “precipitation.” To deepen their understanding, they conducted a hands-on experiment: boiling water in a pan to observe how the liquid turned into water vapour (a gas), then catching the vapour in a bottle. As the vapour cooled, they saw how it turned back into water droplets, demonstrating the process of condensation. This experiment provided a clear and engaging visual of how water moves through the different stages of the water cycle.

Overall, Bleasdale has made fantastic progress, engaging with both historical and scientific concepts through creative projects and experiments. Well done to all pupils for their hard work and enthusiasm!

On the 15th October Nicky Nook visited Greenlands Farm. This was an educational visit which linked to the class topic of Paws, Claws and Whiskers but it also linked to our Science topic (animals including humans). 

During the visit the students looked at many different farmyard animals, including cows, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, chickens, llamas and alpacas. The learners discussed what their diets might be and what species they belong to. Some students were able to give reasons as to why they belong to certain species, such as they are mammals because they have fur or give birth to live young and not eggs.  Also the students recalled some key vocabulary based on species and the diets of animals.

Not only were the students able to recap key learning from our lessons, they demonstrated enjoyment throughout and shared the environment well with the local community visiting on that day.

Throughout this half term we have been looking out for both children and adults who are ‘caught being kind, helpful or doing something for someone else’. Across the whole school we have observed many actions. During our assemblies this week we have shared these acts and the children have received a gold sticker. Some children, however, have gone above and beyond and been recognised four or five times by different members of staff. Recognition of this wonderful achievement has resulted in six children earning a trip to Pizza Hut. A massive well done to all and an extra special well done to Lydia, Theo, Levi, Codie and Archie.

In previous learning our children have learned about events and people from the past, such as the Great Fire of London. They have explored how life was different in the past compared to today, looking at homes, schools and jobs. In our current learning we have been looking at significant people and technology (buses, boats, space ships etc) and the impact that these people and inventions have had on us today.

During our visit to the vehicle museum, we had the opportunity to see real examples of old and modern vehicles, which helped us to see first hand how transport has developed across different time periods. We discussed how materials, designs and technology have evolved to make travel faster, safer and more comfortable. By observing these changes, the children could make thoughtful comparisons between the types of transport used in the past and the vehicles they see and use today. We then thought about the impact these vehicles have had upon us today and what is similar/different to the vehicles we use today.

As part of our learning, the children also drew upon their understanding of Rosa Parks and her brave decision to sit on a bus to take a stand against segregation. Her story helped the class to recognise that transport is not only important for how people move from place to place, but also plays a key role in social change and equality. We discussed how Rosa Parks’ bravery became a powerful symbol in the fight for civil rights and fairness, reminding us that the history of transport is closely linked to the history of people’s rights and freedoms.

In Parlick as part of our Topic ‘Lets explore!’ We took our exploration further afield to the Brockholes Nature Reserve. Despite the rainy weather, the nature reserve provided the opportunity for our class to engage with a local, open space whilst also exploring seasonal changes and what these look like in a natural environment. 

Throughout their experience, students engaged with physical activities which involved climbing, negotiating spaces and walking through different terrains- whilst also using their observational skills to explore various habitats (bugs, birds and deer) and natural objects such as trees and plants before discussing how these have changed based on the Autumnal weather. 

In the classroom, we have been sharing ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ as our Topic story, so our trip provided us with the opportunity to recite and practice the tale whilst experiencing some of the environments such as ‘thick, oozy mud and long, wavy grass’. To ensure we could continue creative and explorative learning at School, we collected sticks and various coloured leaves to take back to the classroom with us. 

This week, Bleasdale Class took their learning outdoors with a series of exciting activities in Holmes Wood. In science, pupils explored changes of state through hands-on investigations. They observed a candle melting from a solid to a liquid before cooling back into a solid again. They also investigated how chocolate changes when heated, carefully spooning the melted chocolate onto cakes before watching it cool and solidify. The class went on to explore how whipped cream can change from a gas to a solid while still showing properties of a liquid. Pupils created detailed drawings of these processes while surrounded by the natural setting of the woods, linking their science observations with their art skills. Later, they will add labels and write conclusions to demonstrate their scientific understanding.

In history, the children continued their outdoor learning with a scavenger hunt through Holmes Wood. They searched for missing pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and then worked in teams to race through questions about the Anglo-Saxons. Through this challenge, pupils deepened their knowledge about who the Anglo-Saxons were, the difference between invaders and settlers, what life was like during this time, and how archaeologists use evidence to uncover the past.

Throughout their time in Holmes Wood, Bleasdale Class showed excellent teamwork. Staff and pupils supported one another, making the most of the outdoor environment to produce exciting work that reflected both creativity and strong understanding. Pupils demonstrated collaborative skills while thoroughly enjoying their learning across science, art, and history in the woodland setting.

In Oakenclough class as part of our Starry, Starry Night topic in English and our Science topic on Animals Including Humans, we went on a brilliant trip to Brockholes Nature Reserve. The visit was carefully chosen to give children a real-life context for exploring nocturnal and diurnal animals, helping to deepen their understanding of animal behaviour, habitats, and adaptations through first-hand experiences in a natural setting.

During our time there, the children actively drew on their prior knowledge of nocturnal animals to explore the differences between day and night. They engaged in meaningful discussions about what we might see and hear in each setting, sharing ideas and building on one another’s understanding. As part of this collaborative learning, the children exchanged what they already knew about diurnal animals and worked together to identify which animals are nocturnal and typically emerge at night. The children were able to recall animals such as owls, bats, foxes, and hedgehogs, prompting discussions about how these animals are specially adapted to life in the dark. Through this peer interaction, the children not only deepened their understanding of animal behaviour but also strengthened their classroom relationships by listening to, supporting, and learning from each other.

The children also collected natural materials like leaves, twigs and feathers, which they later used in our enhanced provision to create their own nocturnal animal pictures. They had so much fun using their imagination and what they had learned to bring their animals to life.

This trip was a great way to explore nature, link our English and Science topics, and get creative using real-world materials. The children displayed collaborative skills whilst enjoying their learning in a practical way.